At some stage in the future could you include an update at some stage on the latest Civil Partnership Law? I already have one employee in a same sex relationship who wishes to apply for Marriage Leave next year. I’m unsure what my requirement is under the law which comes into effect on 1st January 2011, I believe? Other complications include who to class as a dependent (in terms of benefits entitlement e.g. company paid health insurance for employees and dependents – normally spouses only and kids) and pension issues. A similar concern is with heterosexual couples (which I believe is covered under the law) – do companies now have to treat ‘common law’ arrangements the same as they would married couples, or do these common law arrangements need to go through a “civil partnership” to qualify? There’s a lot to consider, so any information would be good.
Posted in : First Tuesday Q&A NI on 7 September 2010
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (CPA) came into force in the UK on 5th December 2005. The Act gives same-sex couples who register as civil partners the right to equal treatment with married couples in a wide range of matters including employment, tax, and social security benefits.
A Civil Partnership is essentially a new legal relationship, and those couples who form a civil partnership will have a new legal status - that of “civil partner”.
Marital Status
It is unlawful to discriminate against an employee on the grounds that he or she is a member of a civil partnership in the same way that it is unlawful to discriminate against an employee because they are married. In addition, whatever
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Back to Q&A's This article is correct at 02/09/2015
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Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
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