Queen's Speech includes employment law reform

Laws aimed at restoring economic stability and reducing the budget deficit feature in the Queen's Speech, which sets out the Government's legislative agenda for the coming year. The Queen's Speech also confirms the Government's commitment to reform the employment tribunal system and extend family-friendly rights by making parental leave more flexible. 

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill will include measures to overhaul the employment tribunal system and transform the dispute resolution landscape by, among other things:

• encouraging the early resolution of disputes by requiring all claimants to lodge details of their claim with Acas and giving parties the opportunity to engage in early conciliation; and
• delivering a more efficient and streamlined employment tribunal system for all users. 

The Government has already completed the consultation process on proposals to reform the employment tribunal system, including proposals to: tackle weaker tribunal claims; introduce fees for bringing employment tribunal claims; and introduce financial penalties for employers that have been found to have breached an individual's rights. See Employment tribunal system to be reformed for further details on the Government's proposals. 

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill will also give more power to shareholders and remuneration committees to set directors' pay by introducing binding votes. 

The Children and Families Bill will include measures to give parents access to flexible parental leave, so that, where they want to, parents can share caring responsibilities. The Government has already consulted on the replacement of maternity leave and pay beyond the first 18 weeks of a child's life with a system of parental leave and pay, available to mothers and fathers on an equal basis. See Maternity and paternity leave and pay to be reformed for further details on the Government's proposals. 

BIS has confirmed to XpertHR that the Children and Families Bill will also include measures to extend flexible working to all employees. 

• Queen's Speech Read the full text of the Queen's Speech on the Cabinet Office website. 
• Queen's Speech 2012 - full list of Bills Further information on the Bills and other announcements in the Queen's Speech is available on the Downing Street website. 
• Growth and fairness at heart of business legislation Read more about the draft Bills on the BIS website. 

Also

The XpertHR employment law manual sets out the current law on tribunal procedures and other methods of resolution and pregnancy and maternity rights.