There are some significant changes to employment law starting in April this year, mainly in the area of family leave, and also some developments in minimum wage, statutory pay and the power of tribunals.
Shared parental leave
A flexible system of shared parental leave and pay will be available where the expected week of childbirth starts on or after 5 April 2015. The mother will need to take the first two weeks off after the birth and the rest of her leave and pay can then be shared between the parents, either in turns or at the same time. This means that up to 50 weeks’ leave and 37 weeks’ pay can be shared.
Additional paternity leave
Additional paternity leave is being replaced by shared parental leave and will not be available where the expected week of childbirth starts on or after 5th April 2015.
Changes to adoption leave
Adoption pay will be increased to match maternity pay so that the main adopter will get 90% of pay for six weeks, then the basic rate for 33 weeks. Adoptive parents will no longer need to have 26 weeks’ service in order to benefit from adoption leave and pay. A single adopter will have the right to paid time off to attend up to five adoption appointments. Where there are joint adopters, one parent will be able to attend up to five appointments with pay and the other can attend two appointments on an unpaid basis. Each appointment can be for up to six and a half hours. Adoptive parents will also be able to take shared parental leave.
New rights for surrogate parents
Until now, anyone who became a parent by using a surrogate birth mother had no rights to any statutory leave or pay. From 5th April 2015, the main new parent in the surrogacy arrangement (this could be the new mother or father) will have the right to adoption leave and pay, and both parents will be able to take shared parental leave. The birth mother retains the right to maternity leave and pay.
Parental leave extended
A parent with one year’s employment will be able to take unpaid parental leave of up to 18 weeks in respect of a child under 18; previously the child had to be under 5, or under 18 if disabled. This right also applies to adoptive parents.
Increase in tribunal awards
Tribunal compensation limits were raised on 6th April in line with inflation. The maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal will be £78,335 or 52 weeks’ pay if less. A week’s pay for calculating the basic award for unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy payments will rise to £475 and the maximum basic award or statutory redundancy payment will increase to £14,250.
New statutory payment rates
From 5th April statutory maternity, adoption, paternity, additional paternity and shared parental pay will be £139.58 per week. From 6th April, statutory sick pay will be £88.45 per week.
National minimum wage laws
On 6th April, all of the regulations dealing with the national minimum wage are being consolidated. No substantive changes are taking place but the laws are being clarified and simplified.
Repeal of the tribunals’ power to make recommendations
In the past, where there was a successful discrimination claim, employment tribunals were able to make a recommendation that applied to the whole workforce, not just the claimant. Examples include introducing an equal opportunities policy and training staff. This power was rarely used and the government has decided to abolish it from 1 October 2015.
Action required
You need to update your family leave policies to include the new right to shared parental leave and the other changes to family leave outlined above. You will need to ensure you have standard forms and letters available for shared parental leave and consider what record-keeping procedures you need to put in place.
If you have any queries on these changes or would like us to help you update your policies, please contact employment@jefferieslaw.co.uk for advice.