News
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10 August 2010
UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Experts have warned that the UK’s economy – currently the sixth largest in the world – could slip down the international ranks if it does not drastically improve its skills and employment systems.
05 August 2010
Default Retirement Age (DRA) to be scrapped
The Government has announced that as of 1 October 2011 the Default Retirement Age (DRA) will be scrapped.
Currently employers have the right to retire an employee at age 65 regardless of their circumstances, the only action that employers must adhere to is to meet with the employee a minimum of six months before they turn 65.
13 July 2010
Whitehall Redundancy Pay Cap
The Government is set to introduce a Bill to Cap Redundancy Payments within the Civil Service, which will be a dramatic change to current contractual provisions negotiated over the years with Trade Unions. This is ultimately more than likely going to lead to a series of strikes being arranged by the respective Trade Union bodies.
13 July 2010
Equality Act (October 2010)
The Equality Act is scheduled to come into effect in October 2010, and although the new Government sought to review this prior to its introduction it has largely gone un-amended. Employers are, however, encouraged to update their current Equal Opportunities Policies and Procedures in advance of this Act coming into affect.
23 June 2010
The Emergency Budget (June 2010)
George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivered his budget speech on 22 June 2010 that outlined how cuts in public spending and increases in taxes will tackle and reduce the countries huge deficit.
11 June 2010
Employment Law under the Coalition Government
Although the details of future Employment Law changes proposed by the New Coalition Government are yet to be announced, employers can expect greater flexibility on parental leave, a review of the Equality Act 2010 and a possible repeal of the Agency Workers’ Regulations.
At the moment what the “new politics” of the Coalition Government means for the future of Employment Law still remains unclear. However, drawing on the parties’ coalition policy statements and the recent Queen’s Speech, it is possible to consider the likely employment law changes that could take place under the new administration.
18 May 2010
World Cup Fever
Football fever is about to hit the nation with the World Cup kicking off and running from the 11th June to the 11th July.
14 May 2010
Tribunals to blow the whistle
As of April 6th 2010 employment tribunals have the authority to pass on whistle blowing allegations, raised in ET1 claim forms, to the relevant regulatory authorities.
28 April 2010
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) Changes
With effect from 2010, two key PAYE changes will come into effect.
Up until now, employers with fewer than 50 employees have been able to paper file their Employer Annual Return (P35 and P14s). From May 2010 employers will no longer have this option. Employers will now have to register with the HMRC PAYE Online service to fill in and submit PAYE forms
08 April 2010
Equality Bill
On the 6th April 2010 the Equality Bill passed its final stage in Parliament. This piece of legislation has been introduced to replace nine laws and over 100 other measures with this one single Act of parliament. The aim is to make it easier for employers and employees to understand their obligations and rights
26 March 2010
Budget Update 2010 – Impact for Employers
Despite whether we agree or disagree with what the budget contains, and whether the budget could have gone further to help employers, there are some important things to note and to prepare for.
23 February 2010
Sick Note to Fit Note
Please note that from the 6 April 2010 the sick note will change and become the ‘fit note’. It is intended that the new Statement of Fitness to Work (Fit Note) can help get employees back to work with Doctors being able to advise people who are on sick leave for over 7 days on whether, with extra support from their employer, they could return to work earlier and on what grounds.
05 January 2010
Staff Engagement, Recruitment and Retention 2010
As the economy recovers, albeit slowly, recruitment activity is set to increase. Recent research is already indicating that the job market is picking up, and is set to further increase throughout 2010.
05 January 2010
Performance Management v Employee Wellbeing
A recent healthcare study has indicated that over 10 million employees admit their financial worries are affecting their performance at work, and that this is preventing them from performing at their best.
15 December 2009
Ageing Workforce – Business Impact
Recent research has predicted that the number of pensioners at work will double to 1.8 million by 2019, with the increase expected in employees working past retirement age being due to them believing that they can’t afford to retire.
15 December 2009
UK Identity Cards
The Identity and Passport Service will soon be launching two new identity cards: the National Identity Card (for British citizens); and the Identification Card (for European Economic Area and Swiss nationals). These are part of the rollout of the National Identity Service and it is important that you make sure your business is ready, and understands the difference between each card.
15 December 2009
Compulsory Corporate Pensions
Following the pre-budget report on 9th December 2009, the programme for the introduction of Personal Accounts has been put back by 12 months, resulting in the start date now being October 2013.