Employment policy under Labour: continuity or change? - Labour's first term in office saw a vigorous programme of employment legislation, which established a minimum framework of standards and rights in the workplace. While employers and employees cannot expect the same level of activity on employment issues over the next few years, we profile some developments that will be far-reaching in their impact. Work-life balance issues look set to dominate the employment scene for the coming year. Recent announcements include the introduction of statutory, paternity pay and the planned right for parents of young children to request a move to part-time working. Closing the gender pay gap is also back on the agenda, with several trade unions mobilising campaigns. Employers will also need to get to grips with several key pieces of European legislation shortly to be introduced into the UK, including the Directive on equal treatment which covers discrimination on grounds of age, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation.