Developing people to their full potential
Equality Bill
15/02/2010
The Equality Bill started its progress through Parliament with wide support of the principles. Bringing together the many separate pieces of discrimination law, resolving some of the differences in approach, and taking into account some Case Law were all eminently sensible measures that could help employers, employees and practitioners.
The Press and Media have concentrated on the Pope, Anglican Bishops and other churches and religious organisations now criticising the Government’s proposals on religious discrimination. This has centred on the proposals apparently not permitting churches and organisations to restrict employment in some posts to people whose lifestyles and/or beliefs are compatible with their doctrines and ethos. The Government is also proposing some other changes that may be controversial or impede the Bill’s progress, such as positive action, regulating pre-employment questionnaires, and enabling a discrimination claim to be on more than one ground.
Because the Bill did not get approval at the House of Lords stage the current Government may not be able to enact it before a General Election. MDN Fusion will be monitoring and reporting on any developments. Meanwhile clients should continue to avoid generic or blanket decisions on genuine occupational requirements and to consider each job on its own facts and circumstances.
REVIEW OF STATUTORY LIMITS & PAYMENTS
From 1st February 2010:
Unfair Dismissal – maximum compensation award has fallen from £66,200 to £65,300.
From April, 2010
Statutory Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay increased from £123.06 to £124.08 per week.
Exceptionally in October 2009 the Government increased the maximum week’s pay for calculating the Basic Award for Unfair Dismissal and for Statutory Redundancy Pay to £380. Therefore there will be no increase from February this year and the next review will be in February 2011.