Member Article

Business support experts launch social media forum

ELAS, the Manchester-based business support consultancy, is launching a social-media advice forum to help business owners understand forthcoming changes in key areas of Employment Law.

The consultancy assists thousands of firms of all sizes across the UK and Republic of Ireland, providing advice and support in all areas of legislation affecting employment issues.

ELAS’ Head of Consultancy, Peter Mooney, said: “On April 6th, 2014 we will see several key changes in employment legislation. These will have an immediate impact, so employers and HR managers need to aware of the implications for their business.

“These are very technical areas of the law and employers may need help and guidance understanding the requirements and implications of the changes facing them”.

These key changes include:

· Amendments to the TUPE Regulations; the introduction of compulsory early conciliation with ACAS of employment tribunal claims; the extension of the right to request flexible working and a new service offering free occupational health assistance to employees, employers and GPs.

· Early Conciliation law comes into force. This means that potential claimants will be required to lodge details of their proposed employment tribunal claim with ACAS in the first instance from 6 April 2014. At that point, ACAS will offer the parties the opportunity to engage in conciliation with a conciliation officer.

· Employers should note the Government is opening to address employers’ “abuse” of zero hours contracts. There are proposals to improve zero hours contracts for individuals and employers, including options to address issues around exclusivity clauses and improve the transparency of zero hours contracts.

· Key changes to employee benefits changes, to commence 6th April 2014.

ELAS will host a live question and answer forum via Twitter on Friday 28th March. Business owners are invited to put forward questions using the #ASKELAS hashtag

Said Mr Mooney: “This is a new and exciting venture for us. It is a convenient and easy way for employers to seek clarification and guidance over what may be confusing changes. We will be delighted to offer our expertise to all who take part in the forum.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .