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This legal briefing delves into the significant Employment Law Reforms that took place in 2013, analyzing the changes brought about by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, proposed Employment Tribunal reforms, tribunal fees, and more. The document provides an in-depth examination of the ConDem Coalition's approach to employment rights, the implications of the two-year qualifying period, and the impact of compulsory conciliation for employment claims. Moreover, it discusses the introduction of tribunal fees, consultations on collective redundancies, the TUPE government response, and Trade Union Facility Time in the Civil Service. By navigating through these complex legislative changes, readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of employment rights in the workplace.
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UNITE Legal Briefing Employment Law Reforms in 2013 6 March 2013 Rob Smith
Introduction Overview of the Government Employment Law Reforms: • Employment Law Reform effective on the 6th April 2012. • The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill • Proposed Employment Tribunal Reform • Employment Tribunal fees • Government Consultations – current state of play
ConDem Coalition Approach to Employment Rights in the Workplace • Adrian Beecroft Proposal for compensated No Fault dismissal - Abandoned • But see the governments proposal on giving up employment rights for shares in the business
Employment Law Reform – 6th April 2012 • Two year qualifying period • Judges sitting alone • Witness Statements taken as read • Witness expenses • Costs
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill • Repeals Important parts of the Equality Act 2010: • Third party harassment • Recommendations • Equality Act Questionnaire procedure
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill • Pre-Termination Negotiations and Settlement Agreement • Legal officers • Capping of Unfair dismissal awards • Financial penalties – er’s breach has aggravating features • Indexation of awards – to nearest £1
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill Compulsory conciliation for employment claims: • Via ACAS - 3 step procedure • Claimant to complete a form and send to ACAS, confirm whether interested in conciliation. ACAS then contacts employer • 4 week period of conciliation. During which time is frozen • At end of conciliation ACAS issue certificate Claimant can lodge claim • Potential problems from additional process • ACAS resources – likely to come in in August 2014
Tribunal Fees • Level 1 claims (UDW RP) - £160 issue fee; £230 hearing fee • Level 2 claims (Discrim etc) - £250 issue fee; £950 hearing fee • Multiple claims - 2-10 (2 x single fee) - 11- 200 (4x single fee) - 200+ (6 x single fee)
Introduction of Tribunal Fees • History of Tribunals • Government believe ET claims increased and see it as part of compensation culture • Open about justification • Fees to be introduced from July 2013
Consultations Collective redundancies : • Reduce the 90 day period to: • 30 day minimum period for up to 99 collective redundancies • 45 day period for planned redundancies of 100 + • Establishment • Fixed term contracts • Code of Practice
TUPE Government Response • Accept limited because implements ARD • Proposes further consultation on - Service Provision Change - Liability - Change of location
Trade Union Facility Time in the Civil Service Consultation on developing a system for reporting and monitoring facility time: • Ending or limiting the practice of 100% facility time • Unpaid facility time • Reduction in overall facility time
Conclusion • Change in the landscape of employment rights in the workplace. • Going backwards • Law is there as a last resort • Onus on political, industrial and collective strategies
Further information • www.thompsons.law.co.uk • www.acas.org.uk • Labour and Employment Law Review