Businesses warned over civil partnerships

The new Civil Partnerships law means employers will need to look at their systems and processes to ensure they are treating staff fairly and, just as importantly, make them aware of their new rights.

A spokesperson for ACAS, the conciliatory service, said: "This is a significant change. The Civil Partnership Act creates a new legal relationship which for the first time recognises same-sex relationships by giving parity of treatment with married couples across a wide range of legal issues. This has implications for employers. For example, if you are making a benefits package such private health care available to the spouse of an employee, you now need to make it available to any civil partners of employees too.

"This is straightforward enough, but managers should also think about the sensitivities of the situation - employees should not be singled out via a separate system and they may need help to understand these changes and the implications in terms of benefits available to them or their civil partner.

"The wise employer will have already reviewed internal processes and anticipated the changes needed, but for those who have not Acas can help. The best practice guidance on our website provides a good starting point and those with individual queries can call our helpline on 08457 47 47 47 Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 for more help."

The new legislation means that benefits provided to married employees and their spouses must be provided to employees who are civil partners and to their civil partners - for example survivor pensions, flexible working, statutory paternity pay, paternity and adoption leave, health insurance or time off before or after marriage/registration. There are no legal requirements to offer such benefits to couples of either the same or opposite sex who have not entered into a marriage or civil partnership.

However, where benefits are made available to unmarried couples of opposite sex they must be extended equally to same sex couples who have not registered a civil partnership.

What does this mean?

Same sex couples who register as civil partners will be entitled to equal treatment as married partners in a wide range of matters including employment and vocational training.

Employers should: