All change for employment law?

This article touches upon a few of the changes and reforms that will come into force this year, and considers in brief some of the more radical proposals that may make their way into law. It is impossible to cover all of the forthcoming changes in 2012, so this article discusses those areas of most likely interest to employment practitioners at the beginning of a year of change.

Awards, costs, expenses & fees

First, for claimants, the good news. The annual increases in the sums that tribunals are able to award in those areas to which compensation caps apply come into force next month (1 February 2012). The upper limit on compensation for awards of unfair dismissal will rise to £72,300 (from the present £68,400). The maximum week’s pay figure increases to £430 from £400 (see the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2011 (SI 2011/3006)). These increases are in line with established policy.

Proposed