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D
id you know that all GMB
members and their immediate
Not sure if you’ve got a case? Here are the most recent
families have access to free
legal assistance? This has been put in legal changes that could affect your rights at work
place to help you claim compensation
for injury or disease arising from both Changes in employment Harassment extended to undertakings with 50
work or non-work related accidents and law from 6 April 2008 is now an act or more employees.
medical negligence cases. ■ Corporate Manslaughter and that is ‘related’ ■ Social Security Benefi ts
Employment law advice and tribunal Corporate Homicide Act 2007 to sex, which Paternity and adoption pay is
representation is free to every member. A new offence of corporate is wider than increased from £112.75 to £117.18
In addition to the compensation manslaughter is now in place. the previous per week. Statutory Sick Pay is
awarded in hundreds of equal pay ■ Sex Discrimination Act 1975 defi nition increased from £72.55 to £75.40
claims supported by GMB last year, (Amendment) Regulations 2008 of ‘on the
over £455,000 was recovered for These regulations change the grounds of Improved employment
members in cases of unfair dismissal, grounds on which an harassment sex’. A witness rights proposals 2008/09
unlawful deductions from wages and claim can be brought, and what to an act can ■ Flexible Working The current
race, sex, age and disability discrimination. constitutes discrimination during now claim right to request fl exible working
maternity leave. They bring UK harassment introduced by Labour is for
A wide range of services laws into line with the EU Equal parents of children up to 5 or
In addition to all the free employment, Treatment Directive. Harassment of disabled children up to 18 or
accident and disease legal services is now an act that is ‘related’ to sex, employees responsible for an
available to Yorkshire and North which is wider than the previous adult in need of care who is a
Derbyshire GMB members, you are defi nition of ‘on the grounds of spouse, relative or living at the
also entitled to many other services. sex’. A witness to an act can now same address. The Government
These include a free Will service and a claim harassment. Employers is proposing extending the right
criminal hotline (0845 603 1085). are liable for repeated acts by to request fl exible working for
Members who drive as part of their third parties, such as clients or parents of children up to 16.
occupation can join our Road Traffi c customers, if they do not take ■ Training A new right is proposed
Fund and get free legal advice on road reasonable steps to prevent them. for employees to request time off
traffi c offences with free legal Women claiming discrimination on for training.
representation (subject to rules). All grounds of pregnancy or maternity ■ Agency Workers Progress on
other services, such as conveyancing leave do not need to compare their equality for agency workers is
and probate, are available at discounted treatment to a male comparator. proposed (long overdue).
rates for GMB members. What’s more, The regulations also implement
every member is entitled to a free initial equal treatment between men and Remember, whatever
consultation with Thompsons women in the access to and supply disapointments anyone has with
Solicitors on any legal matter. ■ of goods and services. current government policies, the
■ Information and Consultation substantial advances in legally
of Employees Regulations enforceable employment rights
The right to agree procedures under Labour will go into reverse
for informing and consulting is under the Conservatives.
Latest news...
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has ordered that cases challenging
forced retirement at 65 should be stayed by tribunals, pending a
decision of the European Court of Justice in the Heyday challenge to
the UK Equality (Age) Regulations ‘default’ age. This allows employers
to dismiss employees of 65 or over on retirement grounds without the
need to provide justifi cation. The ECJ is unlikely to consider the Heyday
case until 2009. Members retired against their will at 65 or over should
contact GMB so we can lodge their claims in the meantime.
28 www.gmb.org.uk
IINS02.ykd_legal 28NS02.ykd_legal 28 223/6/08 17:01:363/6/08 17:01:36
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