Employment Act 2008

Long title

A Bill to make provision about the procedure for the resolution of employment disputes; to provide for compensation for financial loss in cases of unlawful underpayment or non-payment; to make provision about the enforcement of minimum wages legislation and the application of the national minimum wage to Cadet Force Adult Volunteers; to make provision about the enforcement of offences under the Employment Agencies Act 1973; to make provision about the right of trade unions to expel or exclude members on the grounds of membership of a political party; and for connected purposes.

Summary

The Bill contains proposals to reform existing law covering industrial relations and employment protection. <br><strong><br>Key areas</strong><br><br><ul><li>Repeals the Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004 which were intended to reduce employment litigation, but had unintended consequences in practice</li><li>The statutory dispute resolution procedures will be replaced by a new non-regulatory system; a package of measures to encourage early/informal resolution of employment disputes possibly with increased support for the involvement of Acas</li><li>Clarifies and strengthens the enforcement framework for the National Minimum Wage</li><li>Clarifies and strengthens employment agency standards to address some of the concerns about vulnerable workers </li><li>Changes the relevant labour law to ensure compliance with the European Court of Human Rights judgement in Aslef v UK. This requires clearer rights for trade unions to determine their membership, after domestic courts held that trade unions could not lawfully expel British National Party activists.</li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

1. 1st reading· Lords

   6 December 2007 – 6 December 2007

2. 2nd reading· Lords

   7 January 2008 – 7 January 2008

3. Committee stage· Lords

   4 February 2008 – 3 April 2008

4. Report stage· Lords

   19 May 2008 – 19 May 2008

5. 3rd reading· Lords

   2 June 2008 – 2 June 2008

6. 1st reading· Commons

   3 June 2008 – 3 June 2008

7. 2nd reading· Commons

   14 July 2008 – 14 July 2008

8. Programme motion· Commons

   14 July 2008 – 14 July 2008

9. Money resolution· Commons

   14 July 2008 – 14 July 2008

10. Committee stage· Commons

    14 October 2008 – 16 October 2008

11. Report stage· Commons

    4 November 2008 – 4 November 2008

12. 3rd reading· Commons

    4 November 2008 – 4 November 2008

13. Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons· Lords

    13 November 2008 – 13 November 2008

14. Royal Assent· Unassigned

    13 November 2008 – 13 November 2008