April

Significant changes to job did not result in redundancy

In Martland and ors v Co-operative Insurance Society Limited, there were no redundancies when the Society dismissed employees and offered re-engagement on new terms. While the changes were significant, they did not amount to redundancy as the essential feature of the job remained intact.

Increasing protection for pension scheme members

The Government plans to increase powers requiring employers to provide contributions to a pension scheme if their actions could threaten the security of members' pensions. The changes would give the Pensions Regulator stronger powers to reduce the risk to members' interests by scheme changes or corporate transactions.

Know your rights at work

The third edition of the TUC's guide to employment rights at work has just been published. The text has been completely revised and updated for 2008. Highlights include fully rewritten chapters on maternity rights, flexible working, holiday entitlement, health and safety and disciplinary procedures.

Who has the burden of proof where dismissal reason is disputed?

In Kuzel v Roche Products Limited, the Court of Appeal held that it is for the employer prove that it had a potentially fair reason for dismissing an employee. If an employee claims a different reason the burden of proof does not pass to him or her. All the employee needs to do is challenge the employer's evidence and produce facts to support that assertion.

Acas relaxes policy on conciliation beyond initial fixed period

From 1 April, Acas will continue to conciliate even after the fixed conciliation period contained in Schedule 1 of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 has expired, if the claim has a reasonable prospect of settlement

Tribunal judgments on the Internet delayed

Bridget Prentice, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, has announced that the publication of employment tribunal judgments on the Internet has been delayed until Caseflow, a computerised case management system, has been rolled out across the regional tribunal offices.

Acas advises on dealing with depression

Acas has issued new advice to employers on how to spot signs of depression in the workplace to coincide with Depression Awareness Week, 21 to 26 April, and the publication of Acas' new free booklet on Health, Work and Wellbeing which includes sample checklists and policies.

Independent Safeguarding Authority to launch in 2009

The authority which will vet those wishing to work with children or vulnerable adults will begin work in October 2009. When fully up and running, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will be part of the biggest overhaul of vetting and barring arrangements ever undertaken in the UK.