HR Newsletter October 2011 Call 07762 771290
EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL REFORM

The government has just announced proposed changes to the employment tribunal system which aims to reduce the increasing number of claims being lodged by claimants. Following consultation with employers from April 2012 the qualifying period for unfair dismissal will rise from one year to two years. From April 2013 claimants will be required to pay £250 to lodge a claim and a further £1,000 for a hearing. Claims of in excess of £30,000 will cost more. The money will be refunded if the claimant is successful. Fees for poorer claimants will be waived. We shall have to wait for the exact details to emerge.

5 TOP TIPS - MANAGING HEALTH INVESTIGATIONS

1. Find a good occupational health advisor to give you robust advice and comprehensive reports on managing health issues.

2. Keep comprehensive records of your employees' absences with self-certification forms and doctor's precribed fit notes.

3. Develop a comprehensive health form for new employees covering all aspects of physical and mental health to issue for the interview process. You need to be aware of medical conditions which might affect them in employment to make possible reasonable adjustments.

4. Ensure the health form is sealed in an envelope by the applicant and not opened by you until a job offer is accepted. Then if health issues are indicated and you are unsure how to deal with them consult an independent medical advisor.

5. If you become aware of health issues that are affecting employment with an existing employee have them referred onto an independent medical advisor asap.

ABOLITION OF THE DEFAULT RETIREMENT AGE

From 1 October employers can not retire employers who reach the age of 65 without strong justification. We have prepared a fact sheet to help employers understand how to manage ongoing employment of older employees click here

 

Email: info@sjbealehrconsult.co.uk

AGENCY WORKERS REGULATIONS
From 1 October, agency workers will be entitled to be treated equally to employers' directly recruited employees on basic employment conditions, such as pay and holidays, after they have worked in a role for 12 weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010.

In addition, from the first day of their assignments, agency workers will be entitled to the same access to job vacancies and collective facilities as permanent members of staff, such as staff canteens, childcare facilities and transport services.

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

On 1 October, the main rate of the national minimum wage rises from £5.93 to £6.08 per hour.

The youth rate increases from £4.92 to £4.98 per hour, the rate for workers aged 16 and 17 from £3.64 to £3.68 per hour, and the apprentice rate from £2.50 to £2.60 per hour.

 

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING OVER THE SUMMER

  1. Settling a claim of unfair dismissal through ACAS.
  2. Preparing for an employment tribunal related to disability discrimination, TUPE and unlawful deduction of salary
  3. Supporting a capability hearing.
  4. Advising an employee being transferred under TUPE where consultation did not take place.
  5. Advising a man on his rights where his employer will not accept his foreign sick notes.
  6. Providing quotes on training for equality, communication & dispute resolution.

PSYCHOMETRIC PROFILING - LET US HELP

Need to find out those hidden qualities of the candidates you are interviewing and find out if they will really fit in?

Then consider the use of psychometric profiling as an addition to your interview process or as part of a holistic assessment day.

We use DISC profiling which is quick and easy to use with online access to candidates then giving you the reports you need to make your recruitment decisions.

Call 07762 771290 for more details.

 

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Copyright © SJ Beale HR Consult Ltd    

SJ Beale HR Consult Ltd, Moulton Park Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6AQ

Tel: 07762 771290

Email: info@sjbealehrconsult.co.uk

Website: www.sjbealehrconsult.co.uk

Registered in England and Wales; registered company no. 6211388

                

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