Maternity rights changing: The previous distinction between ordinary maternity leave and additional maternity leave with regard to non-pay of benefits under the woman's contract of employment will disappear. Such women will be entitled to the same benefits (except pay) during both ordinary and additional maternity leave periods. Employers who provide currently less favourable benefits during additional maternity leave than during ordinary maternity leave or who discount time spent on additional maternity leave will require to revise their position. This change will apply to women whose expected week of childbirth falls on/after 5 October 2008.
Statutory Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures: The government has confirmed that the current procedures are to be withdrawn by around April 2009. The new regime should be more flexible and will see an expectation that employers and employees will comply with a new ACAS code of practice on such matters. The draft is available on ACAS’s website. Failure to comply with the code will mean that a tribunal can increase or decrease (as appropriate) any compensation awarded to a Claimant by up to 25%.
Contact
Caroline Carr or David Hoey