New disciplinary and grievance procedures come into operation from April 2009. The new procedure aims to encourage businesses and individuals to resolve disputes internally, thereby saving time and money, but where a dispute goes to

a tribunal, an award may be increased by up to 25 per cent where an employer fails to follow the new rules, or reduced by 25 per cent where the employee fails to follow them.  Also, a revised code of practice has been published by

Acas, with detailed non-statutory guidance on handling discipline and grievances in the workplace.

 

This will be increased from 24 to 28 days for full-time workers (pro rata for part-timers) from April 2009.  This completes the government's initiative to

specify that the eight band and public holidays each year are recognised in addition to an employee's holiday entitlement.

 

The right to request flexible working will be extended to parents of children up to the age of 16, with effect from April 2009.  At present, the right exists for carers of adults and parent with a child under the age of six, or a disabled child under 18, to ask for flexible working.  Employers have a duty to take requests seriously and only reject them for good business reasons.