Weekly Issue 72 - July - August 2002

Employment Act 2002

The Employment Act 2002 received Royal Assent on 8 July 2002.

It's a family affair

Part 1 of The Employment Act 2002 sets out the framework of the new provisions for paternity and adoption leave and pay and the reforms to the current maternity pay and leave schema. Part 4 includes the new right to request flexible working.

Tribunal reform

Part 2 of The Employment Act introduces a fixed period of conciliation to promote timely settlement of disputes, a fast track system for the hearing of cases and other measures purportedly to modernise Employment Tribunals.

Dispute resolution

Part 3 of The Employment Act sets out the framework intended to reduce the burden on Employment Tribunals and aid the in-house resolution of individual employment disputes.

Union learning reps etc

Part 4 of The Employment Act, appropriately named Miscellaneous And General, is the sweeper part with all the remaining provisions.