DBERR publishes statement of forthcoming regulations

Pilot schemes looking at alternative forms of dispute resolution will run in 2008-09, while the extension of the right to request flexible working will be introduced in October 2008 or April 2009, according to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's annual statement.

The pilot schemes looking at alternative forms of resolution are to run in three regions. The pilot schemes will be designed to look at the types of conciliation that work best; identify what cases benefit from early conciliation; and examine the resource and staffing implications of offering earlier conciliation.

Progress will also be made towards extending the right to request flexible working to parents of older children. The right to request flexible working is currently available to parents of children under the age of six (or under the age of 18 if the child is disabled) and carers of adults aged 18 or over. The Government has launched an independent review looking at how far the right should be extended. Depending on the duration of the review, the extension will come into force in October 2008 or April 2009.

The statement confirms that the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 will be extended to cover undertakings with 50 or more employees from April 2008. In addition, the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2007, which aim to strengthen the rights of agency workers, come into force in April.

In October 2008, the annual increase in the national minimum wage will take effect, depending on the Low Pay Commission's forthcoming recommendations to the Government.

In 2008, there will also be some minor amendments to the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, including clarification that the exception allowing employers to use length of service as a criterion for benefits applies to civil servants who transfer to a non-departmental public body on a transfer scheme.

Also

Agenda 2008: Employment law key dates Among this year's key employment law changes are the introduction of new illegal working fines in February, changes to sex discrimination legislation in April, and the coming into force of corporate manslaughter laws in April.