Veitch Penny LLP - Exeter | Crediton, Devon

Changes taking place 6th April 2010

There are a significant number of changes taking place on 6th April 2010. Below is a summary of the most important ones:

Paternity Leave
For those parents whose baby’s expected week of birth is on or after 3rd April 2011 (or placement for adoption), the father or partner of mothers or adopters will be eligible to take paternity leave of up to 26 weeks in the first year of life or adoption placement.

Statutory Paternity Pay
The weekly rate of payment of additional statutory paternity pay will increase to the lesser of £124.88 and 90% of the employee’s normal weekly earnings.

The right to request time off to undertake study or training
This comes into force for employees with 250 or more employees. The employee must have 26 weeks’ continuous employment to apply. Employers will be required to seriously consider requests that they receive, but may refuse a request if there is a good business reason for doing so. The leave granted is unpaid. The maximum compensation that may be awarded for non-compliance is eight weeks’ pay.

“Fit Notes”
The format of the current medical statement (known as a “fit note”) and the rules associated with its completion will be changing. Doctors will be able to comment in the note whether the employee is unfit for work or alternatively, may be fit to work with support. The changes are designed to help remove the challenges faced by employees looking to return to work.

If you would like to discuss any of these changes or understand how they will affect you, please call our Employment Team on 01392 278 381.

This Employment Law Newsflash does not constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied on as such. You should take specific advice regarding your circumstances before taking any action based on the information contained above.