ACAS report highlights increase in bullying
ACAS says that its helpline took over 20,000
calls last year on bullying and harassment
and believes that this might mean that
workplace bullying is on the increase. ACAS are
going to begin a public debate on workplace
bullying to help identify better solutions and is
considering introducing a new code of practice
on unwanted behaviour in the workplace -
Workplace Trends 2016
Enforcement of Tribunal Awards and
Settlements
BIS has published its form for claiming penalties
from employers for non-payment of tribunal
awards or settlements.
Under the new scheme which came into effect
in April, a Claimant who has not been paid any
sums under a settlement or tribunal award
can ask BIS to issue a penalty of 50% of the
outstanding amount, subject to a minimum of
£100 and a maximum of £5,000 -
View guidance and form
Low Pay Commission consultation on
national minimum wage and national living
wage
The LPC has opened a consultation seeking
views on the existing rates of NMW and NLW
and the rates that should apply from April 2017.
Views are also sought on issues surrounding
compliance and enforcement. The consultation
closes on 29 July 2016.
From April 2017, all of the rates, including the
NLW, will be uprated in parallel. The LPC will
recommend to the government in October
2016 the level of rates to apply from April 2017.
Companies criticised for reducing overtime
to meet costs of NLW
A number of recognised “brands” such as
Tesco and B&Q have faced widespread
criticism following allegations that they have
cut overtime rates to fund increases in pay to
workers aged 25 and over.
Revised HMRC guidance on employment
intermediaries
HMRC published updated interim guidance
on the tax and reporting obligations of
employment intermediaries and businesses
contracting with them. This will be included in
HMRC’s Employment Status Manual.
The revised guidance specifies that an agency
agreement falling within the rules need
not name a particular worker and that the
legislation applies to any substitute sent by a
worker. It is irrelevant whether the agreement
provides for more than services (for example,
goods). The revised guidance confirms that
the test of supervision, direction or control
also applies when determining whether the
employment intermediaries travel expenses
rules apply - View guidance
Advice on potential employment
implications of Brexit
The TUC has published a 55 page advice,
written by Michael Ford QC, on the potential
implications of Brexit on employment and
health and safety law.
The advice states: “All the social rights in
employment currently required by EU law
would be potentially vulnerable” and that there
would be years of uncertainty for workers and
employers if the UK votes to leave the European
Union - Read more
Long-term health conditions threaten UK
economy
The Work Foundation has published a report
which indicates that the number of people with
long-term conditions threatens to overwhelm
Britain’s economy and the NHS. It believes
that the situation will get worse unless the
government takes urgent action. It suggests
that government should offer tax rebates and
financial incentives to employers that support
people with long-term conditions to remain at
work.
Flexible hiring could help improve
performance
A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
in a study of 3.5 million job ad’s found that
only 6.2% of vacancies for “quality” jobs
(those paying at least £10.63 per hour) were
advertised with options to work flexibly. This
rate was considered to be the amount parents,
older people and disabled people need to earn
to meet basic minimum income standards.
It found a wide gap between flexible working
(which is widely available) and flexible hiring
(which is relatively rare). The report suggests
that this cuts employers off from a proportion
of the skilled market and is particularly
damaging for those sectors with skills shortages
such as IT and engineering. Read report
Employer National Insurance contributions
for young apprentices abolished
Employers of apprentices aged 25 and under
no longer have to pay NICs. The change came
into effect on 6 April 2016 and applies to both
existing employers with apprentices and those taking on a new apprentice.
Spring 2016
For general enquiries
0808 291 3524
Or we can call you back at a time of your choice
Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
