§ Mr. LoydenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the changes in employment law which have affected part-time workers' employment rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsChanges made to individual employment rights since 1979, which have affected both part-time and full-time employees, are as follows
qualifying period on unfair dismissal increased progressively from 26 weeks to two years;qualifying period for written reasons for dismissal increased from 26 weeks to two years;dismissal for non-membership of a trade union made automatically unfair in all circumstances;maternity provisions amended to strengthen notification requirements, exempt very small firms in certain circumstances, and introduce a new right to time off for ante-natal care;industrial tribunal procedures amended to provide for pre-hearing assessments and power to introduce pre-hearing reviews and require deposits; widen rule on award of costs; remove requirement to provide written reasons for decisions in all cases; amend provisions on the basic award; change the onus of proof for unfair dismissal; and require tribunals to take into account the size and administrative resources of the employer;paid time off for trade union officials restricted to duties in respect of which the union is recognised;guarantee pay provisions changed from fixed to rolling quarters;employers with less than 20 employees exempted from the requirement to provide note on disciplinary rules.