Employment Law dates for 2012
With a lot of changes to employment law on the way in 2012, here’s a review of the important dates to be aware of. Any other dates will be added to this calendar as the year progresses
| 31 January 2012 |
Closure date for calls for evidence on the effectiveness of TUPE and the scope of the collective redundancy rules – may result in a formal consultation later in the year |
| 1 February 2012 |
New tribunal award limits come into force |
| 6 March 2012 |
Consultation closes on fees in tribunals and the EAT
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| April 2012 |
- expected that qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase to 2 years
- various tribunal reforms to take effect
e.g. increase in deposit orders and costs awards
- unpaid parental leave to increase to 4 months
- working time rules to be amended to allow holiday to be carried forward in limited circumstances
- maternity/paternity/adoption pay increases
- SSP increases
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| October 2012 |
- Pensions auto-enrolment begins for larger employers
- national minimum wage may increase, depending on what the Low Pay Commission recommends in February
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| Developments with no confirmed date but likely to be progressed in 2012 |
- penalties for employers who breach of employment rights
- early compulsory ACAS conciliation of all tribunal claims
- amendment of whistleblowing rules so that disclosures about breaches of employment contracts are no longer covered
- compromise agreements to be simplified
- consultation on ‘protected conversations’ between employers and staff about employment issues without risk of dispute
- consultation on rapid resolution scheme as alternative to tribunal for low-value and straightforward disputes
- Acas Disciplinary and Grievance Code to be ‘looked at’ with a view to a simpler dismissal process
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