Susan's Legal Bits

In April 2009 Susan was interested in.....

It's not all doom and gloom!

Hi everyone,

In keeping with the Easter theme, I am going to express my chirpy side this month, and stick to the good news!

So...As of 1st April 2009 every full time employee in the UK has their basic statutory holiday entitlement increased from 24 days (inclusive of the 8 bank holidays) to 28 days per year.

For those of you who are employed with us you will therefore see a small change on your payslip as we show the holiday you are accruing as you work and when you let us know you are taking holiday we will send you your holiday pay as usual (there will be more money in that fund of course as your holiday pay increases from 58 pence per hour to 69 pence per hour!!)

Also, those of you planning to become fathers in the future - have you heard the recent news from The Equality and Human Rights Commission? They want maternity leave to be reduced from nine months to six months and paternity leave to be increased from two weeks to eight weeks at 90% pay. Then they propose the parents could share four months leave between them after the mother has taken the first six months leave.

This is interesting news and is getting mixed reviews from the survey they have conducted. I can see the 90% of pay rule being a lot more attractive for Dads for eight weeks rather than the £117.18 per week for two weeks that is currently on offer !! Still. Let's not get too excited yet as it is only a proposal at the moment and, as with all these things, amendments are made as opinions are sought. I'll bring you up to date as things progress. Don't forget that with our umbrella product all such employee rights are met by us - if you go Solo or CIS Solo paternity and maternity allowance can only be sought from the benefits office (Job Centre Plus).

Next week is the bank holiday week so for those of you that are having a long weekend I do hope the sun shines for you.

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All comments provided on my blog are for informational purposes only. My thoughts and opinions are my own with agreement from my employer as being suitable for sharing with the wider world. Any advice, or writing that might be taken as advice, should not be deemed in any way as professional Legal advice and are only the musings of a HR practioner whose sole aim is to help where she can.