New employment laws in force from Sunday 6th April, 2008

The start of April is a traditional time at which laws take effect, and a number of employment-related laws will come into force on April 6.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 will create a new criminal offence of corporate manslaughter, or corporate homicide in Scotland, covering deaths due to an employer's actions.

The new offence replaces the old one of gross negligence, and opens companies up to fines of up to 10% of their turnover.

Employers will also face changed rules on sex discrimination. The 1975 Sex Discrimination Act has been amended to take account of a court ruling which ordered the Government to change the law to take account of a European Union Directive, the Equal Treatment Directive.

The new law will make the definition of sexual harassment wider, and will make employers liable for the actions of third parties in some cases.

Employment agencies will face a changed legal landscape with the amendment of regulations governing their conduct. Job seekers will receive greater protection under the new law, which will also reduce the amount of regulation of companies in the sector.

A law that gives employees the right to be informed and consulted on the operation of a business will be changed so that it applies to more companies. The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations currently apply to organisations with more than 100 employees. It will be changed so that it applies to any organisation with 50 or more employees, increasing the number of companies that must comply with it.

The law which governs public authorities' treatment of disabled people will also be changed to ensure that more organisations comply with its rules. The change will include for the first time public bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority, The Bank Of England, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.