Contractor's workplace calendar – key dates

2011 was an eventful year to say the least. We had the implementation of the AWR and efforts to limit their impact are ongoing. The coalition government also decided that IR35 would not be abolished, much to the disappointment of optimistic freelancers. And the Red Tape Challenge opened up a dialogue between business and government, the outcomes of which will continue to make themselves known in the coming year.

So what legal developments and workplace changes can be expected in 2012? Giving the recruitment community a ‘heads up’ Lawspeed, the legal partner of the Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC) has put together a list of important diary dates:

January 31st
- Deadline for responses to the Government’s call for evidence on the effectiveness of TUPE. It is thought that this may lead to a consultation later in the year, although no dates have yet been set.
- Public sector bodies (except schools) with more than 150 employees publish data on equality in their workforces from this date

February 1st
- Employment tribunal award limits increase: the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal increases from £68,400 to £72,300 and the maximum amount of 'a week's pay' for calculating compensation for unfair dismissal and redundancy pay increases from £400 to £430

March 6th
- Closing date for the consultation on charging fees in employment tribunals

March 8th
- Parental leave increases from 3 to 4 months

March 21st

- The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget 2012

April 1st
- Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay increases from £128.73 to £135.45 per week
- From April, a new system will be put in place for the administration of IR35

April 6th
- The qualifying period for unfair dismissal increases to 2 years
- Statutory sick pay increases from £81.60 to £85.85 per week
- Schools with more than 150 employees publish data on equality in their workforces from this date
- Various changes to employment tribunal procedures

June 4th
- Late May bank holiday moves to the 4th June to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee

June 5th
- Extra bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee

October 1st
- Pensions auto-enrolment begins for larger employers
- National minimum wage increases, subject to recommendations of the Low Pay Commission

Other developments likely to occur in 2012 (dates TBC):

• Introduction of a new vetting and barring scheme for individuals working with children and vulnerable persons
• The Government’s Access to Work scheme is set to be reformed so that funding will be available where job applicants are disabled people, for adaptations or equipment that will assist them to perform the role
• All employment tribunal claims referred to ACAS
• Possible consultation on the ‘agency regs’  - the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003
• Introduction of financial penalties of between £100 and £5000 for employers that breach employment rights
• Consultation on 'protected conversations', which will allow employers and staff to discuss employment issues without risk of dispute.
• Consultation on rapid resolution scheme as an alternative to tribunal for low-value and straightforward disputes
• Possible simplification of dismissal process