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1999 introduced
first national minimum wage in Britain's history
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Subminimum for 18-21 year olds
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More recently even lower minimum for 16-17
year olds
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Minimum has been raised several times and
last increase in 2004 brought it to almost $9 per hour
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Hours and Holidays
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These changes based on EU Social Charter
policy directives
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Entitled to 20 annual paid
holidays/vacation. 2005 Blair
Government agreed with unions to legislate so that national holidays dont
count toward the total
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Flexible scheduling
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Parents with small children have right to
request flexible scheduling
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Employers required to give these requests
serious consideration, i.e. to attempt to accommodate
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Paid sick leave
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Must provide at least 28 weeks!
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Unfair Dismissal
Protection
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Now kicks in after one year, previously was
two years
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Consultation
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Again based on EU Social Charter
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Employers with 150 employees (will
gradually go down to 50) must inform employees of a variety of policy
decisions and explain their reasons
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