As with all legal documents and protocols, employment law is a continually evolving and developing piece of legislation which is unique to every country. At Acacia Learning, we’re here to help your HR team stay up to date to ensure you’re effectively supporting your staff and organisation/business.
In April 2017, a series of new changes were introduced. These included a rise in the national minimum wage and national living wage. For workers aged between 16 to 17 years, it is now £4.05. For those aged 18 to 20, it is £5.60. For workers aged 21 to 24 years, it is £7.05. For anyone above 25 years, it is £7.50 per hour. There has also been a rise in statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay to £140.98 per week. Statutory sick pay has risen to £89.35 per week.
Additionally, the ‘Prescribed Persons’ in any organisation who whistle blowers can go to with any wrongdoing disclosures must now make annual reports for these allegations and details. It is also required for any organisations that have at least 250 employees (whether private or voluntary) to publish information each year regarding the differences in how they pay men and women. Those who don’t comply with this could face fines of up to £5,000. These reports will be available for review in 2018.
An apprenticeship levy came into force from April 2017. It applies to any private or public sector employers whose annual pay bill was in excess of £3 million in the last tax year. They will have to contribute 0.5% of their annual pay bill to the apprenticeship levy, whether they use apprentices or not. Any levied employers who have apprenticeships will receive an annual allowance of £15,000, which will offset any costs incurred for hiring apprentices.
Other changes include increases in tribunal compensation limits and national insurance thresholds, the introduction of an immigration skills charge, changes to the IR35 in the public sector, and how salary sacrifice schemes work. In 2018, employers can expect to see grand-parental leave be introduced for working grandparents, the taxation of termination payments, and restrictions on employment allowance for illegal workers.
If your HR department is keen to stay abreast of these changes, why not enrol your team on to our CIPD employment law module, either at CIPD Level 5 or CIPD Level 7? Our CIPD course regularly runs in London and is available for all who are keen to learn more stay abreast of changes to employment law and HR protocol.
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