2004

1 February

• Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2003 (SI 2003/3038). New upper limits on maximum compensation which an employment tribunal can award come into effect, including an increase in maximum compensatory award to £55,000. 
  

6 April

• The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/3319).

1 October

• The Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004.  Brings in statutory minimum disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures
  
  
• The revised version of the ACAS Discipline and Grievance Code of Practice takes effect
  
  
• National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (SI2004/1161). National Minimum Wage increased to £4.85 for workers older than 22 and to £4.10 for workers between 18 and 22.  There is also a new rate which applies to 16 and 17 year olds, of £3.00 per hour
  
  
• The Employment Appeal Tribunal (Amendment) Rules 2004 take effect, making various changes to EAT procedures, such as introducing the overriding objective into EAT procedural rules
  
  
• Employment Tribunal (Constitution & Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 bring in measures to weed out misconceived claims and to save costs by promoting settlement of other claims as early as possible
  
  
•  The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations 2003.  Amongst other changes, these remove the small employer exemption and introduce a definition of direct discrimination (which cannot be justified)
  
  
•  The final duties under Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 relating to access to goods, services and facilities come into force
  
  
•  The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Pensions) Regulations 2003 introduce a non-discrimination rule into every occupational pension scheme