HR Practical Solutions

The Employment Law Legal Statistics are:

1. National Minimum Wage (hourly rate)
21 and over £6.08
18-20 £4.98
16-17 £3.68

2. Working Time Regulations
A limit of 48 hours a week – workers can opt out to work more
A limit of 8 hours work in a 24 hour period, which night workers can be required to work
Night workers to receive free health assessments
11 hours of rest per day
A day off each week or 2 days off every other week
In-work rest break (of 20 minutes) if the working day is longer than 6 hours
5.6 weeks paid leave per year

3. Holiday Entitlement
Increase from 4.8 weeks to 5.6 weeks from 1st April 2009
Employees working 5 days per week, this is equivalent from 24 to 28 days
Part time employees, entitlement will be pro-rated
Bank holidays / public holidays can be counted towards entitlement as long as paid for the day(s) off

5. Maternity Leave
All employees entitled to 52 weeks
Employees with 26 weeks service by the end of 15th week before expected week of birth – 39 weeks statutory maternity pay

7. Paternity Leave
Employees with 26 weeks service as at the end of the 15th week before expected week of birth are entitled to 2 weeks paid paternity leave within 56 days of the birth
Must be taken in weekly blocks and is based on statutory paternity pay levels or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower week before expected week of birth – 39 weeks statutory maternity pay

8. Parental Leave
Employees with 1 years service are entitled to 13 weeks unpaid leave which may be taken at any time within 5 years if the birth of the child
Female employees, this can be added to maternity leave
No more than 4 weeks parental leave ay be taken in any one year

9. Minimum Notice Periods
Employer must give:
1 weeks notice after 1 month’s employment
2 weeks notice after 2 year’s employment
Thereafter, 1 week’s notice for each year up to a maximum of 12 weeks notice after 12 years employment Employee must give:
1 weeks notice after 1 month’s employment Written contracts may provide greater notice periods.

Employers must consider:
- Fair selection criteria
- Consultation
- Possible suitable alternative employment
Redundancy payments are only eligible to employees who have been employed for a period of 2 years and over