LEGISLATION 

Religious Belief and Sexual Orientation Discrimination

In the absence at present of a formal Code of Practice, ACAS have published guidance notes in respect of the new laws relating to the above which are set to be introduced in December this year (see Bite Size November 2002). The above guidance can be located at http://www.acas.org.uk/art13.html

Flexible Working

Following the introduction of the Flexible Working (Procedural Requirements) Regulations 2002 in April this year the DTI have produced a number of forms to assist both employers and employees in dealing with requests for flexible working. The forms are available on the DTI's website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/individual/flexforms.htm

Corporate Governance The Financial Reporting Council have recently issued revised Combined Codes on Corporate Governance, effective for reporting years commencing on or after 1 November 2003.

The aim of the new code is to raise standards of corporate governance by, amongst other things, providing for more open procedures for appointing directors and formally evaluating the performance of the board.

Listed companies will have a mandatory duty to explain how they apply the codes. Details can be found on the Financial Reporting Councils' website at http://www.frc.org.uk/combined.cfm

Employment Tribunals Service Annual Report 2002-2003

It is worth noting that the above report showed that the number of single applications to Tribunals actually dropped by 3% last year. The report also confirmed how the 132,492 claims were disposed of.

• 39% were conciliated settlements by ACAS;
• 31% were withdrawn; 13% were successful at tribunal;
• 2% were dismissed at hearing (out of scope)
• 9% were dismissed at hearing (other reasons)
• 6% were disposed of otherwise.