As all the banks report on massive job cuts following poorer than hoped results it begs the question that hiring freezes will inevitably start (some have already). This is not good news for the market as a whole but for the temporary job market we will see a likely increase in activity. Given that the announcements will stay in place until the beginning of next year we are likely to see increased activity in temporary jobs.
The Government has launched a consultation on plans to introduce a new system of flexible parental leave from 2015 as part of its plans to create a modern workplace for the modern economy.
Under the proposals, once the early weeks of maternity and paternity leave have ended, parents will be able to share the overall leave allowance between them.
Unlike the current system this leave could be taken in a number of different blocks and both parents could take leave at the same time.
What is being proposed?
Flexible Parental Leave
18 weeks maternity leave and pay – in one continuous block around birth.
Four weeks of parental leave and pay exclusive to each parent to be taken in the first year.
30 weeks of additional parental leave available to either parent - of which 17 weeks would be paid and can be broken in blocks between parents.
Flexible Working
Extending the right to request for all workers who have been with their employer for 26 weeks.
The Government will consider publishing a statutory Code of Practice for businesses. It will propose that employers should be allowed to take into account employees individual circumstances when considering conflicting requests.
There are no plans to alter the current 8 business reasons for a business to turn down a request.
The Government recognises that legislation is not the only answer to promoting flexible working practices. Non-legislative measures are being developed to promote flexible working opportunities both for those with a job and for those looking for one.
Equal Pay
Employment Tribunals that have found an employer to have discriminated on gender in relation to pay, will order the employer to conduct a pay audit and publish their results (except in some circumstances, such as where an audit has already been conducted).
Lloydspharmacy is to open a pilot health village in North London at the end of August as part of their plan to evolve into an all round health care provider. The health village will open at Brent South Shopping Park and provide services including an opticians, a chiropodist, a physiotherapist, an audiologist and skin care clinics.
John Lewis have announced plans to open 10 mid-size department stores in order to expand into more cities across the UK. The first opening will be in Autumn 2012 in Exeter. The new format will prominently be focused on homewares but will also be big on fashion & electricals. There are currently 37 John Lewis stores in Great Britain
Business Secretary Vince Cable has today toured Alexandra Dock where Siemens plans to build an £80 million wind turbine factory which will create 700 jobs, expected to be operational by 2014.
Under the development plan Associated British Ports (ABP) will build a £100 million deepwater berth capable of handling the new generation of large offshore wind developments.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“The transition to a green economy presents significant growth opportunities both in the UK and abroad. The UK has the sixth largest low carbon economic goods and services market in the world.
“The offshore wind sector has the potential to create 70,000 jobs in the UK. We are committed to making sure that UK businesses get a headstart and seize those opportunities now.”
