New employment limits for 2009 - January 09

From 1 February 2009 the new rates for calculating statutory redundancy payments and Employment Tribunal compensation will be:

• a week's pay - £350
• maximum basic award/statutory redundancy payment - £10,500
• maximum compensatory award - £66,200

(Please note that this maximum does not apply in discrimination cases)

Employment legislation to look out for in April 2009:

From 6 April 2009 the following legislation will take effect:

* Repeal of statutory dismissal, disciplinary and grievance procedures and replacement by new ACAS Code of Practice.

* Extension of right to request flexible working for parents of children up to 16.

* Increase in statutory paid holiday to 5.6 weeks per annum (28 days for someone working five or more days a week) inclusive of bank holidays.

For advice on updating your flexible working policy and your disciplinary and grievance procedures please contact a member of the Rickerbys employment team.