February 16, 2024
By Owen John
2024 will bring big changes to Employment Law in the UK. To avoid getting left behind, our employment team outline the Staff Handbook updates that all employers will need to make in the coming months. For help with any of this, please get in touch with our employment team on 02920 829 100 or here.
Carers’ Leave Policy
By when? 6 April 2024
Employees will be given a new legal entitlement to take one week’s unpaid leave per year in order to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need. This will be a day-one right. More details here.
Neonatal Care Leave Policy
By when? Later in 2024 (exact date TBC)
Parents of children receiving neonatal care will now have a new right to take up to 12 weeks of leave. This will be a day-one right and will be separate to other types of leave such as maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
Right to Request Predictable Working Pattern Policy
By when? September 2024
Those working irregular hours (e.g. zero hours workers) will now be able to request a more predictable working pattern from their employer. The employer will have 1 month to deal with and respond to the request. More details here.
Paternity Leave Policy
By when? 6 April 2024
Fathers and partners will now have much greater flexibility when taking paternity leave. For example, they will now be able to take the leave at any time within the first year after the birth of the child and will be able to take the leave in more than one batch. The notice period for notifying the employer about the intention to take paternity leave will also shorten to 28 days. More about the changes to paternity leave here.
Redundancy Policy and Maternity Policy
By when? 6 April 2024
At present, employees on maternity leave have priority in being offered any suitable alternative vacancies during a redundancy process. However, this protection will now be extended to those who have notified their employer that they are pregnant and also to those who have recently returned to maternity leave and gave birth during the previous 18 months.
Flexible working Policy
By when? 6 April 2024
Whilst employees can currently only make 1 flexible working request per year after first being employed for a minimum of 6 months, this will now increase to 2 per year and will be available from the first day of an employee’s employment. The time for employers to respond will also reduce from 3 months to 2 months. More details here.
Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy
By when? October 2024
There will now be a positive and proactive duty on employers to take steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This duty will need to be reflected in Anti-harassment and Bullying Policies.
If you require assistance with reviewing and updating your policies to reflect the changes above, contact Owen John on 02920 829 118 or ojohn@darwingray.com for a free initial chat to see how we can help you.
I have worked with Darwin Gray for a number of years and the level of service, professionalism and timely response is second to none. I would highly recommend Darwin Gray to any business.”
Darwin Gray have provided us with a first-class service for many years now. They really take the time to understand our business and develop relationships which results in advice and support that is contextualised and effective.”
We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class.”
An extremely professional and sincere company who make time for your queries and understand the need to break down certain facts and information to ensure everything is understood perfectly. I would highly recommend the company to anyone looking for any type of legal advice”
PSS has worked with Darwin Gray for many years. We have always received an excellent service. Prompt and professional advice and support.”
We have used several departments within DG recently and we have been very pleased with an effective, efficient and down to earth service. Very happy thus far and I expect that we will continue to use DG.”
Darwin Gray offer us truly superb services. Very professional, quick and services available bilingually which is very important to us, highly recommend.”
My “go to” in urgent and time sensitive cases for direction, support and advice. The team are quick to respond to calls or emails for advice and support on all matters. Always explain complex matters in a way a lay person can easily understand.”
