Important changes for Employers
From 6th April 2012 the qualifying period for employees to bring an unfair dismissal claim will be extended from 1 year to 2 years. The Government has said that it intends to increase the qualifying period for unfair dismissal to "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". Also, as every year, statutory thresholds are changing. Here are the important dates to be aware of:
On 1st February 2012
- Statutory redundancy payments - the maximum amount of a week's pay used to calculate a statutory redundancy payment increased to £430
- Unfair dismissal compensatory award increased from £68,400 to £72,300
- Guarantee payments payable to an employee increased from £22.20 to £23.50 per day
From 1st April 2012
- Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay will increase from £128.73 to £135.45 p/w
From 6th April 2012
- Statutory sick pay to increase from £81.60 to £85.85 p/w
From 1st October 2012
The following National Minimum Wage rates will come into force:
- £6.19 per hour for workers aged 21 and over (11p change)
- £4.98 per hour for 18–20-year-olds (no change)
- £3.68 per hour for workers above school leaving age but under 18 (no change)
- £2.65 per hour for apprentices – (a rise of 5p)
