01 May 2012 #Employment
Following our previous blog covering the Bill`s Second Reading in House of Lords last week, the Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill received Royal Assent today.
The Bill suspends Sunday Trading Laws in England and Wales from the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games on 22 July to the end of the Paralympics on 9 September 2012, so that shops with floor space in excess of 280 square meters will not have any restrictions on their Sunday opening hours.
In addition, the usual period of notice that employees must give their employers if they wish to opt out of Sunday working, will be temporarily reduced from three months to as little as two months.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “Retail workers will keep all their legal protections, such as the right to opt-out of Sunday working, but many will want to take the opportunity to work extra or different hours. I want employers to work with their staff so that we can all make the most of the Olympics."
Further information and guidance on Sunday Working is available from DirectGov and Business Link.