Updates to employment laws are coming into force in April 2015A number of new employment law updates for 2015 are to be introduced in April, including statuary pay rate increases for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
With an update to shared parental leave already introduced in December 2014, but only for children born or matched for adoption on or after April 5, further updates to help manage sickness absence and parental leave are also to be introduced.
The updates include:
Managing sickness absence –A health and work assessment and advisory service is to be introduced, offering occupational health assistance for employees, employers and GPs.
New statutory pay rates – Statutory pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave will increase to £139.56 per week. Statutory sick pay (SSP) rate will also increase to £88.45 per week.
Parental Leave extended to children to the age of 18 – The right to unpaid parental leave will be extended to parents of any child under the age of 18 years
Statutory adoption leave and pay – The statutory adoption leave will no longer have the 26-week qualifying period, and adoption pay will be brought in line with maternity pay.
Full details of all upcoming changes can be seen on the acas website: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3909
