Measures to enhance whistleblowing procedure, restrict zero hours contracts, enforce the minimum wage and change employment tribunal procedure, along with other changes, became law yesterday when the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act received Royal Assent.

The Act embraces a wide-range of measures, not just employment, such as changes to insolvency law and regular reviews of 'red tape'. However Part 11 of the Act sets out the employment law changes which include:

* preventing 'exclusivity clauses' in zero hours which stop individuals from working for another employer (s153) * amending the power to set the maximum penalty for under payment of the National Minimum Wage, so it can be calculated on a per worker basis (s152) * reforming employment tribunals by encouraging more efficient management of tribunal postponements the introduction of a penalty to ensure that employment tribunal awards are paid promptly and in full (s150-151) * changes to whistleblowing procedure for prescribed persons (s148-149)

S151 came into force yesterday but the other provisions will come into force when regulations are laid before Parliament.

The Act can be found on legislation.gov.uk here.