work on the impact of EU law, without making recommendations on what powers should be returned.
Andrea Leadsom, a Conservative MP, said Britain needed a “shopping list” of powers it wants returned from Brussels and said the planned audit of EU powers was “a completely worthwhile exercise”. Officials close to Mr Cameron insist the prime minister is not about to start a fight to reclaim powers from Brussels any time soon and will certainly not make it his price for supporting eurozone moves towards closer fiscal and political union. Indeed Mr Cameron’s coalition agreement with Mr Clegg’s pro-European Liberal Democrats makes it extremely unlikely that any moves be made before the planned 2015 general election.
GUIDE TO MATERNITY RIGHTS AND REDUNDANCY
13 July 2012
Acas and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have developed short good practice guidance to help small businesses and employers deal effectively and fairly with pregnancy and maternity when one of their employee's is facing redundancy.
The new guide uses good practice examples, a flow chart and a section on "myth busting" to explain to employers their obligations and how to manage employees fairly.
It sets out four important questions you should ask when considering which posts to make redundant:
Is the redundancy genuine? How do I consult employees on maternity leave? How do I decide the right selection criteria? Is there a suitable alternative?
To test yourself, try answering 'true' or 'false' to the following statements:
"If an employee is on maternity leave it is illegal for an employer to contact her about any work related issues?"
"You can't criticise the performance or conduct of a pregnant employee?"
"If I make a pregnant employee redundant, I don't have to pay them maternity pay as well?"
Find out the answers in the guidance booklet: Managing redundancy for pregnant employees or those on maternity leave
EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FEES TO ENCOURAGE MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION
13 July 2012
Employment tribunal fees will be tailored to encourage businesses and workers to mediate or settle a dispute rather than go to a full hearing from summer 2013.
Following the Ministry of Justice's consultation with businesses and the public, some of the fees will be slightly lower than initially proposed in order to strike a fair balance between the needs of business and tribunal users. Bringing a claim or an appeal to the employment tribunal is currently free of charge with the full cost being met by the taxpayer. By introducing fees, people using employment tribunals will start to contribute a significant proportion of the £84m cost of running the system. The
CIPP Policy News Journal
12/04/2013, Page 314 of 362
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker