Employment Law changes - October 2014

Together with autumnal feelings, October is yet again bringing in employment law changes:

1. Increase to the national minimum wage

The following increases will take effect from 1 October 2014:

2. Right to time off for antenatal appointments

As part of the new shared parental leave, fathers and partners of a pregnant woman will now be eligible for unpaid leave to attend up to two antenatal appointments.

This is expected to come into force as of 1 October 2014.

3. Mandatory Equal Pay Audits

As of 1 October 2014 the Employment Tribunal must now order an employer to carry out an equal pay audit if a tribunal finds that there has been an equal pay breach. This applies to all equal pay claims lodged on or after 1 October 2010. Micro businesses (those with fewer than 10 employees will be exempt).

There will be cash penalties for non-compliance and the results will be published unless there are legal reasons for preventing this.

4. Rights for army reservists increased

1 October 2014 is going to be a busy day; as of this day army force reservists will have further protection against unfair dismissal.

If any employee is dismissed because of their membership in the reserve force, the dismissal may be automatically unfair rendering the two year rule inapplicable.