News
Increase in national minimum wage
Government ensures
blind and partially sighted people are protected by DDA.
As From 6th April 2003 the following changes will come into effect
- Ordinary Maternity Leave increases from 18 to 26 weeks.
- Additional Maternity Leave by up to a further 26 weeks, resulting
in up to 1 year’s statutory maternity leave in all.
- SMP and Maternity Allowance increases to £100 per week
- Working Fathers can claim two weeks’ paid paternity leave
also at £100 per week
- An adoptive parent can claim 26 weeks’ adoption leave
at £100 per week followed by a further 2 weeks unpaid leave;
and
- Working parents with children under six or disabled children
under 18 will have the right to request flexible working arrangements.
This new right will enable mothers and fathers to request to
work flexibly. It will not provide an automatic right to work
flexibly
as there will always be circumstances when a company is unable
to accommodate a request for a desired work pattern. The right
is designed to meet the needs of both parents and employers.
It aims to facilitate discussion and encourage both the employee
and the Company to consider flexible working patterns and to
find a solution that suits them both. The employee has a responsibility
to think carefully about their desired working pattern when making
an application. A company is required to follow a specific
procedure to ensure requests are considered seriously.
[more information]
Government publish proposed changes
to discrimination legislation 23rd October 2002
National Minimum Wage To Increase
from October 2002
New Directors' Regulations Now
in Force
New regulations to implement remainder
of Young Workers Directive Consultation needed by 6 September 2002
Consultation on draft maternity,
paternity and adoption leave and pay regulations - Consultation
due by July 2002 |
