A PACKAGE of measures to safeguard employers against falling foul of new employment regulations is being launched by York law firm Harrowell Shaftoe.

The initiative is being made against a background of a rise in the number of actions being taken against employers, combined with significant changes to employment regulations.

To aid employers, Harrowell Shaftoe is providing a new package called Pre-Emptor, which includes insurance cover providing unlimited legal fees and up to £50,000 for compensation pay-outs. It also includes a comprehensive employment manual and a dedicated helpline to give employers rapid and professional advice.

Simon Black, Harrowell Shaftoe's head of commercial litigation, said: "Pre-Emptor has been designed to prevent employment-related problems by providing professional and experienced advice and instruction on how to keep abreast of the forthcoming changes.

"Employment law is evolving rapidly with a raft of directives introducing a range of new rights for employees.

"Falling foul of these regulations could result in businesses facing heavy compensation pay-outs and sizeable legal fees.

"Pre-Emptor has been designed to prevent breaches in the first instance, but, when necessary, to pay for professional and experienced legal advice with the added benefit of compensation cover."

Pitfalls await employers as a result of key changes to Employment Law since April 6. These include:

A right to complain to an Employment Tribunal if employees consider they have been treated unfairly as a result of requesting or taking paternity leave. In some cases there is no limit to the compensation that can be awarded

A right to request flexible working for parents of children under six years, or 18 if the child is disabled

A prescribed procedure an employer must follow in dealing with a flexible working request

Failure to consider a request properly or a breach of the procedure could lead to an award of compensation - maximum £2,080

Failure to allow employees to be accompanied at a meeting to discuss their applications or an appeal hearing could lead to an award of £520

Ordinary maternity leave now 26 weeks, previously 18 weeks

Additional maternity leave 26 weeks, dependent on length of service

Payment of statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance for 26 weeks

An increase in standard rate of statutory maternity pay from £75 to £100 a week

Two weeks' paid paternity leave

Introduction of the right to take adoption leave of 26 weeks

Additional adoption leave of 26 weeks.

Updated: 09:35 Thursday, May 15, 2003