Employment News

The maximum amount of a week's pay used to calculate statutory redundancy payment and the basic and additional awards for unfair dismissal is to increase from £400.00 to £430.00 on 1 February 2012.

Qualifying Period for Unfair Dismissal to Increase

On 6 April 2012, the qualifying period for an Employee to bring an unfair dismissal claim will increase from 1 year to 2 years.  According to the Government, this increase will "provide more time for Employers and Employees to resolve difficulties, give Employers greater confidence in taking on people and ease the burden on the Employment Tribunal process".  It is understood that this change will not be retrospective.  This means that those Employees who started before 6 April 2012 will remain able to claim unfair dismissal after 1 year of continued service.

Other Changes

It is proposed that as of April 2012 Employment Judges will hear unfair dismissal claims alone in the Tribunal, unless they direct otherwise.  The maximum Deposit Order is likely to increase from £500.00 to £1,000.00.  The maximum amount of a Costs Order, which a Tribunal may award, (in favour of a legally represented party) is likely to increase from £10,000.00 to £20,000.00.  Furthermore witness statements are to be taken "as read" unless the Tribunal directs otherwise.

There are other proposals on the horizon, in particular, the introduction of Employment Tribunal fees similar to the County Court system.

Submitted By: Adam Bradford, 20th January 2012 11:38:33