Important recruitment law dates for 2012
2011 was an eventful year to say the least, what with the implementation of the AWR and ongoing efforts to limit their impact. The Coalition Government decided that IR35 would not be abolished, much to the disappointment of optimistic freelancers and the Red Tape Challenge opened up a dialogue between business and Government, the outcomes of which will continue to make themselves known in the coming year.
So what legal developments and changes can be expected in 2012? Giving the recruitment community a ‘heads up’, AgencyZone has put together a list of important diary dates. Also included are networking meetings organised by the Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC), which members and non-members may find useful this year.
January 18th
Lawspeed begins a series of tutorial webinars on the AWR, prepared for members of ARC
January 31st
–Deadline for responses to the Government’s call for evidence on the effectiveness of TUPE. It is thought that this may lead to a consultation later in the year, although no dates have yet been set. Find out how to submit your evidence here: https://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations/
–Public sector bodies (except schools) with more than 150 employees publish data on equality in their workforces from this date
February 1st
Employment tribunal award limits increase: the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal increases from £68,400 to £72,300 and the maximum amount of ‘a week’s pay’ for calculating compensation for unfair dismissal and redundancy pay increases from £400 to £430
February 14th-15th
Recruitment Agency Expo – ARC will be exhibiting and speaking
February 28th
ARC networking meeting – Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London
Topics and speakers:
– Fees in employment tribunals – spokesman from the Employment Tribunal Service/BIS
– The IOD’s take on the employment future
– The state of the economy – the outlook – an economist
– TUPE – service provision changes – a TUPE expert
March 6th
Closing date for the consultation on charging fees in employment tribunals
March 8th
Parental leave increases from 3 to 4 months
March 25th
ARC Networking meeting – London Chamber of Commerce or other
Topics:
– How to use social media in recruitment
– Social media – difficulties
– Cloud computing – is it the future?
– General Legal Update
April 1st
Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay increases from £128.73 to £135.45 per week
April 6th
–The qualifying period for unfair dismissal increases to 2 years
–Statutory sick pay increases from £81.60 to £85.85 per week
–Schools with more than 150 employees publish data on equality in their workforces from this date
–Various changes to employment tribunal procedures
May 23rd
ARC Networking Meeting – London
Topics and speakers:
– Employment Law update – government representative and ACAS
– Pensions update – government spokesman
– Diversity within search and selection and permanent placements
June 4th
Late May bank holiday moves to the 4th June to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee
June 5th
Extra bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee
October 1st
–Pensions auto-enrolment begins for larger employers (https://www.lawspeed.com/news/Workplace_pensions_and_automatic_enrolment.aspx)
–National minimum wage increases, subject to recommendations of the Low Pay Commission
October 17th
ARC Networking Meeting
Topics:
– Economy and legislative changes
– Dealing with RPOs
Developments likely to occur in 2012, but with dates TBC:
• Introduction of a new vetting and barring scheme for individuals working with children and vulnerable persons
• The Government’s Access to Work scheme is set to be reformed so that funding will be available where job applicants are disabled people, for adaptations or equipment that will assist them to perform the role
• All employment tribunal claims referred to ACAS
• Possible consultation on the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003
• Introduction of financial penalties of between £100 and £5000 for employers that breach employment rights
• Consultation on ‘protected conversations’, which will allow employers and staff to discuss employment issues without risk of dispute.
• Consultation on rapid resolution scheme as an alternative to tribunal for low-value and straightforward disputes
• Possible simplification of dismissal process
A complete list of ARC events 2012 can be viewed here.
Adrian, a highly experienced lawyer, founded Lawspeed in 1997. He is responsible for developing our extensive portfolio of products and services, including the widely used Lawspeed contract templates. Adrian is an expert on “recruitment law” and specialises in contracts, regulatory compliance, employment status and dispute handling. He is chair of the trade body the Association of Recruitment Consultancies, the only lawyer lead recruitment trade body in the UK. Adrian and his co-director Ravi devised Standards in Recruitment as a vehicle for helping drive up standards and compliance in the industry.
Adrian is our lead in discussions with the government over regulatory evolution. Apart from assisting with client support, Adrian’s primary role is research and development into methods of business delivery, our latest service Proterms being his most recent project. Adrian heads our IR35 lawyers team.