Throughout the year changes are made to employment law. To help keep you up to date, here are some of the more recent changes.

The Right to be Accompanied. Employees have the right to be accompanied at a disciplinary meeting, where they make a reasonable request. What is reasonable will depend on the circumstances of each individual case. However, it would not normally be reasonable for workers to insist on being accompanied by a companion whose presence would prejudice the hearing. Nor would it be reasonable for a worker to ask to be accompanied by a companion from a remote geographical location if someone suitable and willing was available on site.

The Acas code is to be amended to “Employees have an absolute right to choose a companion for a grievance meeting.” Click here to visit the Acas website for more information.

Employee Shareholders. From September 2013 employees can become shareholders if both they and the employer agree all the aspects. Employees can receive £2000 worth of shares and in return, give up rights to claim unfair dismissal, a statutory redundancy payment, a statutory right to request flexible working and a statutory request for study or training. They must also give more than usual notice of return from maternity leave. Click here to find out more.

Pensions Auto Enrolment. From April 2014, depending on the size of your business, you will have to provide a workplace pension for your staff. To do this you need to know your ‘staging date’ and make sure you have information on all your employees. Check your payroll system can cope and that you have enough administration support. To find out who will be included and excluded and when you have to set up company pension, take a look at the Gov.UK website.

In April or May 2014 I’ll be running another Employment Law Update workshop. Keep an eye on this blog and the website for the date and online booking.