Employees in IT jobs, and across other sectors, in the UK will see themselves have better protection in the workplace as of next year, as the British government has announced its changes to employment law for next year.

From April, those who feel they have been unfairly dismissed from their job will have two years rather than one to appeal their case against losing their job.

There will also be an increase in the sick pay available to people who are absent. The statutory weekly pay will rise by £4.25 to £85.85 per week, whilst those who are on maternity leave will now still be earning £135.45, a rise of over £8.

Whist this is all good news for employees though, one piece of the new legislation has courted controversy. The cost of bringing a case to a tribunal has doubled from £500 to £1,000.

Earlier this week, Brendan Barber, Trade Unions Congress general secretary, said: "Government proposals to introduce a fee to lodge an initial claim … will effectively prevent the poorest and most vulnerable workers from ever being able to get justice."

Posted by Lee Thrace