Weekly issue 145

News in brief

The Government has published a consultation document seeking views on how the UK should implement a 2009 Council Directive on setting up European Works Councils (EWCs) for informing and consulting employees.

Long service

Although the law requires employers to pay men and women equally for work rated as equivalent under a valid job evaluation scheme, they do not have to justify a difference in pay if it is due to a length of service award.

Services rendered

The contracting out, re-tendering and contracting back in of services constitute a “service provision change” (and therefore a “relevant transfer”),under the 2006 Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE).