What’s on the horizon for employment law?

There are certain known and certain unknown developments pending in the area of employment law over the next six months and beyond. Some of the known developments include the reduction of the threshold of applicability to 50 employees for the Information and Consultation of Employee Regulations.

However, some of the as yet unknown developments (in terms of detail) relate to the Employment Bill which will make future provisions on issues including: repealing the statutory dispute resolution regulations, clarifying and strengthening the enforcement framework for the National Minimum Wage, and amending trade union membership law in light of the judgement in Aslef v UK regarding union member expulsion.

The Employment Bill will also address matters relating to the simplification, effectiveness and strengthening of key aspects of employment law to the benefit of individuals, employers, trade unions and the public sector.

Another as yet unknown development relates to the concept of work-life balance where there may be changes to the existing flexible-working regime with potential extensions on those employees who are eligible to request the right to work flexibly. See excerpt from the Queen’s Speech 6 November 2007

http://www.number10.gov.uk/files/pdf/10.Work-life%20Balance.pdf