The Employment Bill completed its Parliamentary process and became the Employment Act 2002 on 8 July. Implementation dates for some of its changes have already been announced - 1 October 2002 for fixed term workers protection from discrimination and 6 April 2003 for family friendly rights. Other changes will have to wait until detailed implementing regulations have been consulted on and become law in due course.
These include the new draft Regulations published on 11 July covering the new right to flexible working. The Government has now published “The Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) Regulations 2002 and “The Flexible Working (Procedural Requirements) Regulations 2002. It is seeking views on a number of issues (for example whether it is appropriate to include adoptive and foster parents within the scope of the right) and seeks responses by 10 October 2002.
All employers should now be reviewing their policies and terms and conditions to ensure that they will comply with the Employment Act.
