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Course overview:
The Autumn 2008 Law on Tour will help you prepare for the forthcoming changes to dispute resolution with a focus on mediation. In addition it will provide a comprehensive update on recent case law and the latest and forthcoming changes to employment legislation.
The imminent repeal of the statutory procedures next April will bring a complete change of focus to workplace dispute resolution, and requires employers to engage in workplace mediation. In readiness for this change, Acas has issued a new draft Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance, which is currently out for consultation and will be crucial to deciding fair process and fair dismissal.
Failure to show that every reasonable effort has been made to resolve disputes internally may have dire consequences for employers if employment tribunal claims are made. In addition, employers must ensure that their procedures leading to dismissal are rigorously adhered to, as the return to ‘polkey test’ will mean that procedural unfair dismissals will be easier to fall foul of.
New rights to request time off for training and the revised right to request flexible working will clearly also require an in-house mechanism for resolving disputes at an early stage.
Equally important are changes to case law and new legislation, including:
- Race Relations Act Amendments
- maternity rights amendments
- National Minimum Wage changes
- Working Time and opt-outs
- Agency Workers reform
- case law round up.
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