03.02.14
Acas publishes new TUPE guidance
New guidance is now available to support employers through legal changes to TUPE transfers, Acas has announced.
The regulations mean that when a business transfer occurs, employees moving across bring their length of service and terms and conditions with them. As organisational restructuring looks set to continue, these guidelines will be used more frequently, Acas suggested.
The changes means that terms and conditions from collective agreements may be renegotiated after one year, that dismissals are no longer automatically unfair because of a change in the workplace location, businesses with fewer than 10 employees are not required to invite the election of representatives for consultation purposes if no existing arrangements are in place, and employee liability information should be provided 28 days before the transfer, rather than 14.
Anne Sharp, Acas chief executive, said: “TUPE is often seen as complicated but employers need to get to grips with it if they decide to buy a business or take on work being carried out by others.
“Organisations can work through the requirements systematically to avoid the problems of getting it wrong. Our new guidance will help them get a handle on the changes that come into effect today.
“The rules affect all business and organisations, whatever their size or sector. Consulting staff is very important and employers should start communicating with their employees early, so concerns can be addressed early.”
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