News roundup: Employment law changes in 2012

23 December 2011

With 2011 drawing to a close, attention is turning to important new employment legislation for employers to negotiate in 2012.

Touted as the biggest shake up of employment law for decades, there are some major changes on their way that employers need to know. And these include:

• the start of pensions auto-enrolment in October 2012
• increases in the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection
• changes to the employment tribunal procedure
• increases in statutory redundancy payments and guarantee payments
• changes to maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay

There have been some good summaries written about the changes in the press this week, particularly Personnel Today's six things employers need to know to make sure they are ready for the year ahead.

Details were also published this week of planned changes to the limits and amounts payable under employment legislation. The changes, due to take effect from 1 February 2012, include an increase in the maximum award for unfair dismissal, from £68,400 to £72,300.

So 2012 is certainly shaping up as a year of change and we'll keep you posted as the changes draw nearer.

All that's left to say is for now, is have a very merry Christmas from everyone at Ochre.