October is the month for changes
by Nicky
This month would appear to be the month for changes in employment law.
I am sure you are all aware that as of today, the minimum wage has increased to the following: -
- Workers aged 22 years and above are now to receive a minimum wage of £5.73 per hour,
- A development rate of £4.77 per hour is to be paid to workers aged 18-21 (inclusive)
- Workers under 18 years of age and no longer of compulsory school age receive the rate of £3.53 per hour
Secondly as of today the legislation concerning the displaying of employer liability insurance certificates has been changed. As I am sure you are aware, employers are legally obliged to display at least one copy of this certificate at each place of business where employees work. It is now satisfactory for this certificate to be available in an electronic form provided that each employee has access to it in that form. For more information please click here.
A third change impacts on maternity legislation. Women expecting babies after the 5 October will be entitled to the same terms and conditions of employment when they are on additional maternity leave as when they are on ordinary maternity leave.
A fourth change takes effect as of the 27 October 2008. The Fixed Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable) Treatment Regulations will be amended to enable agency workers employed under fixed term contracts of less than 3 months to be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay. For the draft Regulations please click here.
The fifth and final change comes into force on 27 October 2008 and creates a benefit called Employment and Support Allowance which will effectively combine Incapacity Benefit and Income Support for new applicants claiming incapacity benefit. For more information please click here.
In a nutshell, these are the main changes coming into effect this month, which you need to be aware of and, if necessary, ensure provisions within your business are made to take account of them!!!
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it is nice to know that the Government think that £5.73 per hour is reasonable. As a pensioner they pay me £2.77 per hour (assuming a 35 hour week). Is that legal or is the Government above the law?
Bob Salmon said at October 13th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Thanks for your comment Bob.
Although many people will sympathise and probably agree with you, unfortunately the minimum wage applies to individuals that are working and not to pensioners.
However, please continue to log onto our blog which is updated on a daily basis for any future changes in relation to pensions.
Nicky said at October 16th, 2008 at 9:48 am