EXPERTS are warning that employers should be gearing up now to be ready for the implementation of the Employment Relations Bill.

The Bill - which will put into effect many of the Labour Government's Fairness at Work Manifesto commitments - could receive Royal Assent within the next two weeks.

Judith Watson, employment law specialist at Manchester law firm Cobbetts, said: "The Government wants to pass the Bill through parliament and get it enacted before the Summer Recess.

"While much of the final detail is still awaited, an expected immediate effect of the Act receiving Royal Assent is the raising of the cap on unfair dismissal compensation awards to £50,000.

"The cost of unfair dismissal claims will increase significantly as a result."

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