Employment eBulletin Update February 2011 - Are You Up To Date?

Are you up to date?

With the recently announced changes in legislation, businesses should be considering updating their handbooks now to ensure they are prepared for the developments ahead.  In particular, the following policies should be adopted or updated:

A new policy to cover the abolition of retirement age

• Employers giving notice of retirement after 5 April 2011 will no longer be able to rely on the statutory default retirement age of 65.
• Existing policies on retirement will no longer apply after 5 April 2011.

An updated policy to cover new paternity rights

• New rights will apply to those parents of children born on or after 3 April 2011
• Fathers now entitled to additional paternity leave (where a mother ends her maternity or adoption leave early, the father is then able to take the remainder of that leave up to a maximum of three months paid at the statutory rate and three months unpaid).

Updates to flexible working policy

• The right to request flexible working will be extended to parents with children under 18 from April 2011.

A new policy to cover anti-bribery and corruption

• The Act governing anti-bribery and corruption is expected to be in force in August 2011
• It will introduce a new strict liability corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery by individuals acting on behalf of an organisation.
• Employers must have "adequate procedures" in place to defend a claim.

Special Offers

Wright Hassall is pleased to be able to offer each of the above policies for a sum of £50 plus VAT or all 4 policies for £150 plus VAT. If you already have a paternity policy and flexible working policy, we will review your policies for free and quote you for updating them separately.

Wright Hassall is also offering all employers a FREE review of their contracts and handbooks/policies to evaluate any risks they may pose and how such risks can be minimised.

To take advantage of any of the above offers, please contact Sarah Day on 01926 884684.