The recent rise in the number of tribunals, fuelled by recession-lead redundancies, should alert firms to the importance of complying with employment law.
The reminder came from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Mike Emmott, the CIPD’s employee relations adviser, said: “The sharp increase in employment tribunals following the swathe of redundancies in the recession should send a clear warning to employers that they simply cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to the law.”
Mr Emmott added that the Equality Bill alone is a major change that will force employers to review their existing equality strategies.
The Bill will have an effect on such areas as equal pay, positive action, harassment and disability.
The CIPD said that other issues employers must be on the look out for are new rules and regulations, due later this year, on fit notes, additional maternity and paternity pay, the national minimum wage and the enactment of the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
