Business owners are being warned not to slip on a legal banana skin as key changes to employment law come into force this week.
A raft of legal changes came into force on Monday (April 6), one of two annual dates when the government implements new legislation.
Martin Edwards, head of employment law at Mace & Jones, said that the changes were complex and that many employers were at risk of getting them wrong.
“Red tape day can be a banana skin for bosses,” he said. “These changes are complex and do require expert legal advice to be properly understood and followed.
“Employers risk costly and time consuming problems if they are not fully prepared and up to speed with these new measures.”
New measures which are in force as of this week:
Right to request flexible working:
This has been extended to apply to parents which children up to the age of sixteen. Employers must follow legal process after receiving such a request.
Statutory dismissal and grievance procedures: The old procedures have been abolished and replaced with the new ACAS code of practice.
Paid holiday: As of April 1 this increases from 4.8 to 5.6 weeks which for most employers this makes no change, as they already provide 20 days plus bank holidays. However, those with different employment patterns must take notice.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2009