People: Employment and Pensions Newsletter

Welcome to the Spring/Summer edition of People. 

It has certainly been a busy few months for employment law. Employers are used to contending with various developments in case law and legislation but the last few months, let alone the past year, have given rise to a number of announcements from the Coalition Government about the future of employment law. For those of you who, understandably, may have lost track, we have taken this opportunity to chart the changes in employment law over the last year and identify the key issues for employers over the coming months.

Aside from the changes proposed by the Coalition Government, we also provide practical overviews of two key cases for employers, covering legal representation at disciplinary hearings and redundancy selection involving employees on maternity leave. Our other articles also examine the proposed reforms to public sector pensions and the development of employee-led mutuals.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this Spring/Summer edition of People. As always, your feedback is appreciated, so please feel free to email Louise Fernandes-Owen with any comments.

Coalition Government - one year on

Irrespective of your political allegiances, there is no denying that, since the election last May, the Coalition Government has announced potentially far-reaching changes to employment law. But, one year on, what does the future hold for employers? We chart the Government’s key announcements over the last year, highlighting the main issues for employers.  Read more >

Flexible parental leave on the horizon

The Government recently announced its plans to create a modern workplace and culture of flexible, family-friendly employment practices.  Forming part of its wider employment law review, discussed in our "Coalition Government – one year on" article (see above), the Government's plans have four key elements, including a flexible parental leave system; a right for all employees to request flexible working; changes to the Working Time Regulations and equal pay audits. Read more >

Disciplinary hearings - I want a lawyer

All employees have a statutory right to be accompanied at an internal disciplinary hearing by a trade union representative or a colleague.  However, how should an employer respond if an employee asks to be accompanied by his or her solicitor?   In times gone by, employers were in a stronger position to refuse such a request but, following recent case law, employers may need to think carefully before they respond.  Read more >

Redundancy and maternity - who to protect?

In the case of Eversheds Legal Services Limited v De Belin, the Employment Appeal Tribunal examined whether inflating the redundancy selection score of an employee on maternity leave constituted unlawful sex discrimination against a male colleague.  Employers are well aware of the risk of treating a pregnant employee or an employee on maternity leave less favourably.  However, this case is an important reminder that any disproportionately favourable treatment can also expose employers to potential claims from male employees.  Read more >

Fight, fight, fight - the only way to sort public sector pensions?

The Coalition Government and the major public sector trade unions remain on course for substantial disputes over proposed reforms to public sector pensions.  In those areas of the public sector who are allowed to take industrial action, strikes look increasingly likely.  Read more >

How to become an employee owned mutual

The Coalition Government wishes to introduce employee ownership into a wide range of public services.  Employees in the public sector have a tremendous opportunity to become co-owners of the businesses for which they work.  There are also challenges for the private sector: it will need to get used to contracting and competing with alternative delivery models.  Read more >

International Employment Bulletin

We launched a new International Employment Bulletin this year, which covers key employment law developments across a range of jurisdictions. Click here to read our latest edition.

If you would like to subscribe to future editions of the International Employment Bulletin, please email Louise Fernandes Owen.

Employment seminars and workshops - register here

Aimed specifically at HR professionals and senior managers, our informative and interactive employment law training programme for 2010/2011 offers a range of sessions designed to bring you up to speed with the rapid changes in employment law.

Alongside our seminars and workshops, held in both London and Manchester, our programme also includes training sessions led by specialist barristers, which will be of particular interest to in house legal teams, as well as a range of soft skills training which we are offering to both HR professionals and in house lawyers.

Our next event, for example, is  "Redundancy and restructuring – avoiding the pitfalls" on  Thursday 21 July 2011 (London) and Thursday 28 July 2011 (Manchester).

Click here to download our full employment law training programme. If you would like to register for any of these events, please email seminars@ffw.com, specifying whether you would like to attend the London or Manchester event.