Family rights strengthened in new employment laws

Laws strengthening the rights of families and whistleblowers on the Isle of Man are set to come into effect from 1 April, the Department for Enterprise has confirmed.

New rights include time off work for adoption appointments and to care for dependents, as well as to allow for partners to attend antenatal appointments.

Changes to whistleblowing laws allow tribunals to order an employer to reinstate employment or pay the complainant while a case that is likely to be successful is heard.

Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said the changes meant the island was "protecting the workforce" as well as "increasing fairness in the workplace".

The changes would also ensure that the island remained "competitive against similar jurisdictions", he said.

Based on feedback gathered during public consultations in 2022, the measures are part of a wider move to reform current employment laws that date back to 2006.

From April, employers will also have to provide a written statement of the terms and conditions of employment on the first day of work instead of within four weeks.

Other changes to legislation on whistleblowing include the introduction of a "public interest test" to allow issues of broader concern to the community to be included, and the removal of the requirement for a whistleblowing disclosure to be made "in good faith".

Johnston said: "Part of these reforms include much needed enhancements to legislation for family rights, in particular rights to time off in relation to dependants, a move which aims to enhance support for working families."

Further reforms, including shared parental leave and parental bereavement leave, are set to be brought forward by the Department for Enterprise later in the year.

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