Employment Law: The 2004 Changes

In a move that should help to make life easier for employers, the government has announced that changes to employment law will in future be made on two specific dates in the year, namely:

• 6 April - the start of the tax year and
• 1 October - when the national minimum wage is reviewed.

The changes coming through later this year in October are rather more significant than the changes made in April and are summarised below.

1 October

• Annual revision of national minimum wage.
• Discipline and Grievance Code of Practice.
• Dispute Resolution Regulations.
• Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules.
• Employment Tribunal Regulations.
• Regulations relating to the Equal Pay Act.
• Transfer of Undertakings Regulations.

The government has confirmed that the minimum wage rate for adults will rise from £4.50 to £4.85 in October and the rate for 18 to 21 year olds will rise from £3.80 to £4.10. In addition 16 and 17 year olds will be paid a legal minimum wage for the first time and the rate will be £3 per hour. There is a helpline for anyone who thinks they are not being paid the minimum rate: 0845 6000 678. In Scotland the number is 0845 600 1768 and in Northern Ireland 0845 650 0207. There is also an interactive website www.tiger.gov.uk which provides guidance for both employers and employees.