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Helena Tiernay

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The start of April sees a number of important changes that employers in the UK need to be aware of:

1st April 2021 – Increases to National Minimum Wage (employers should note the change to the age categories):

  • Age over 23: £8.91 (from £8.72 for over 25 year olds)
  • Age 21-22: £8.36 (from £8.20 for 21-24 year olds)
  • Age 18-20: £6.56 (from £6.45)
  • Age 16-17: £4.55 (from £4.62)
  • Apprentices: £4.30 (from £4.15)

4th April 2021 – Statutory rate increases:

  • Statutory sick pay: £96.35 per week (up from £95.85)
  • Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and parental bereavement pay: £151.97 per week (up from £151.20)

Continue Reading Important upcoming changes that UK employers need to be aware of

An employer is likely to find a wide variety of beliefs held by its employees. We’re all aware that some people hold (and perhaps we share) firm beliefs as regards climate change, and there is certainly a growing trend towards a vegan lifestyle and beliefs. Others may hold beliefs in spiritualism, life after death, and…

As is generally the case each year, 1 October brings a number of changes to employment law.

The key changes taking effect 1 October 2014 are as follows:

National Minimum Wage Increase

The annual increase to national minimum wage rates for all workers will take effect, such that from 1 October:

  • Workers aged 21 and

…

Flexible parental leave

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has today announced plans to introduce a new flexible system of parental leave, as part of what is described as a “radical” shake-up.

Under the reforms, a mother will still be required to take a compulsory 2 week period of leave after the birth of a child, but at any time following that, the parents will be able to ‘opt in’ to the new flexible parental leave system, and to share what remains of the maternity leave period.

It will be up to both parents to decide how they share the remaining period of leave – they may choose to split the leave between them, take it in turns, or take some time off together.

A new statutory payment for parents on flexible parental leave will be introduced, with the same qualifying requirements that currently apply to maternity and paternity pay.Continue Reading “Radical” reform of parental leave announced

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has announced plans to introduce a new type of employment contract – an ‘owner-employee’ employment contract. ‘Owner-employees’ will receive between £2,000 and £50,000 worth of shares (which will be exempt from capital gains tax) in exchange for giving up certain rights, including redundancy rights, the right to claim unfair dismissal and the right to request flexible working or time off for training.  Owner-employees will also be required to give 16 weeks’ notice of their return from maternity leave, rather than the current 8 weeks.Continue Reading Plans for new ‘owner-employee’ employment contracts announced

Earlier this year, as part of its Employment Law Review, the Government conducted a public consultation on its proposal to introduce fees in the Employment Tribunals. The Ministry of Justice has now published the results of that consultation, and has indicated an intention to introduce fees in the summer of 2013.

This is a significant development in the life of Employment Tribunals, further watering down the original principle that the Tribunals would be an informal and accessible forum for resolving industrial disputes.Continue Reading Introduction of Fees in Employment Tribunals – results of consultation published