Employment law: Updated or added to the legal update website for voluntary organisations:
 
Final version of ACAS code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures was issued on 7 November for parliamentary approval. In effect from 6 April 2009 to replace the statutory disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures (hurrah!). ACAS has also issued a detailed guide to what has changed since the earlier (consultation) draft of the new code.
 
From 27 November you must be a licensed sponsor, registered with the Border Agency, if you want to employ a new skilled worker (Tier 2) from outside the EEA (EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, + Switzerland), or if a current employee's work permit expires and you want them to continue working. Also if you bring in a temporary worker such as a musician, actor or sportsperson  for a specific event (Tier 5).
or go direct to UK Border Agency
 
From March students (Tier 4) who are not from the EEA or Switzerland will be allowed in only if they are sponsored by an educational institution licensed as a sponsor. Links as above.
 
EU Temporary Agency Work Directive (a/k/a Agency Workers Directive) has finally been approved by the European Parliament - will give agency temps many (not all) of the same statutory and contractual rights as if they were directly hired, after they have worked for an employer for 12 weeks. No date yet for implementation.
or go to EU press release via http://tinyurl.com/5hhtrk