- new tribunal award limits come into force
6 March
- consultation closes on fees in tribunals and the EAT
April
- expected that qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase to 2 years
- various tribunal reforms to take effect, e.g. increase in deposit orders and costs awards
- unpaid parental leave to increase to 4 months
- working time rules to be amended to allow holiday to be carried forward in limited circumstances
- maternity/paternity/adoption pay increases
- SSP increases
October
- pensions auto-enrolment begins for larger employers
- national minimum wage may increase, depending on what the Low Pay Commission recommends in February
Developments with no confirmed date but likely to be progressed in 2012
- penalties for employers who breach of employment rights
- early compulsory ACAS conciliation of all tribunal claims
- amendment of whistleblowing rules so that disclosures about breaches of employment contracts are no longer covered
- compromise agreements to be simplified
- consultation on 'protected conversations' between employers and staff about employment issues without risk of dispute
- consultation on rapid resolution scheme as alternative to tribunal for low-value and straightforward disputes
- Acas Disciplinary and Grievance Code to be 'looked at' with a view to a simpler dismissal process
