Regional Mediation Networks to be Created

In another step to help reduce the number of workplace disputes reaching an employment tribunal, a pilot scheme of regional mediation networks has been announced by Employment Relations Minister, Edward Davey. The scheme will provide assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises and pilot regional mediation networks will be set up in Cambridge and Manchester later this year. BIS will fund training for employees from SMEs to become trained mediators. The trained mediators will then be able to offer their services to business across the region.

Are you ready for the Olympics?

ACAS has published some useful guidance for employers in readiness for the Olympic and Paralymic Games this summer.

In essence, ACAS suggests that employers plan ahead, to ensure they can cope with the different types of employees: those who want time off to attend the Games, those who have volunteered to help at the Games, those who want to watch some of the Games during the working day and those who are not at all interested in the Games and think that other employees are being treated more favourably by being allowed time off.

Employers will need to think about allocation of holiday, paid/unpaid time off for volunteers, flexible working, etc.

To view the guidance on the ACAS website please click here.

Increase to qualifying period for unfair dismissal will only affect new joiners

Following the Government’s announcement last year that it intends to increase the qualifying period for unfair dismissal from one to two years on 6 April 2012, we understand that BIS has informally stated that the changes will only affect those employees who commence employment on or after that date.

This means that all those already in employment and those who start work prior to 6 April will retain the one year qualifying period.

This has not yet been formally confirmed, but it is probably only a matter of time…