News in brief October 2018

Bereavement Leave

As reported in the last Employment Brief consultation took place on the Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill. On 13th September, it was officially enshrined in law and is expected to come into force in 2020. 

This will give parents who lose a child under the age of 18 or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy two weeks leave.

Subject to meeting eligibility criteria they will be paid for this period, the exact details of which are to be determined.

Pricing transparency for solicitors on employment services

The SRA is putting in place a procedure for all solicitors from December 2018 to publish information on pricing to help consumers make informed decisions. Although it does not apply to all areas of the law it will apply to employment tribunals specifically making and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal.

Such information should be clear and accessible and put in a prominent place on the firm’s website. As well as pricing firms will be required to supply the experience and qualifications of those carrying out the work and the supervisors and express details of any costs or likely disbursements applicable to the work being done. There are also obliged to provide likely timescales for key stages.

News in Brief

A pilot scheme has been announced concerning seasonal workers for UK farms. This will mean fruit and vegetable farmers are able to employ migrant workers for seasonal work for up to 6 months. 2,500 workers from outside of the EU will be able to come to the UK each year thus dealing with labour shortages during peak production periods.

The Government have however made it clear that they see this to be a short term solution. Mention has been made of farmers having to look at ways that technology can reduce demands for labour.