Employers Insight Into New Disciplinary Procedures

January 29th 2004

Employers from across Tayside gathered at Dundee Contemporary Arts today (Jan 29th 2004) for a major seminar examining developments in employment law and pitfalls and practicalities of disciplinary procedures.

The seminar - organised by Thorntons Law LLP solicitors and led by employment law specialist Derek Reid - looked at the ACAS Code of Practice and proposed changes in legislation likely to have a direct effect on employers in Tayside.

A new ACAS Code is expected to be published later this year and new statutory disciplinary procedures will be enforced on October 1st.

The hard message for businesses in Tayside and Fife is that employers who fail to demonstrate they have observed the new code or followed the new statutory procedures can expect any financial awards made against them by industrial tribunals to increase by between 10% and 50%.

"We thought it important to allow employers the opportunity to assess the implications of the proposed changes in legislation and the ways in which this may have a direct effect on their business, "explained Derek Reid.

"It was a very well attended event with an excellent response from employers across the region. There is clearly a willingness to take these matters seriously and ensure preparedness for the introduction of these important changes."