Focus

Welcome to Dimension 88′s Focus page to assist SME’S to stay up to date with new Employment Laws and Government Legislation.

Dimension 88 has served a range of UK businesses since 2011 and assists Small Medium Enterprises to keep up to date with new Government Legislation and current Employment Laws.

Michael Coe Assoc CIPD – MInstLM is Dimension 88′s Lead HR Consultant. Here he look’s at the new Employment Law’s and Government Legislation which has come into force in 2015.

Are you ready for the changes?

Small Business,Enterprise and Employment Act 2015

In 2015 Small Medium Enterprises will need to be up to date with a new Act. On March 26th 2015 the Small Business,Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 came into force. It contains the following provisions:

• Equal Pay Reporting: Companies employing 250 people or more must make mandatory reports with regards to equal pay. The changes in regulation should be made by March 2016.
• Zero Hours:Exclusivity clauses (binding a worker to one employer) will be invalid without a guaranteed weekly income.
• Enforcing tribunal awards:Employers will face additional penalty (payable to the state) for failing to pay compensation awarded by tribunals. The fine will be 50% of the outstanding award subject to a cap of £5,000.
• National minimum wage:There will be maximum penalty for employers who make underpayments. Assessing the fine will be per worker,than a link to each enforcement notice.
• Whistleblowing:Bodies receiving disclosures will be required to report annually on whether they have been investigated. New guidance is to be made available for employers.
• Exit payments:The state will have the power to”claw back”termination payments to the public sector executives returning to the same area of work within a specified time period.
• Tribunal adjournments:A limit will be placed on the number of adjournments allowed. Judges will be able to make costs awarded if applications for adjournments are late. The regulation is being drafted.
• * Further information can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk – Small business,Enterprise and employment Act 2015 – Chapter 26

Children and Families Act 2014

The above Act introduces a new system for shared parental leave. It extends the right to request flexible working to all employees with a minimum of 26 weeks notice. This legislation is now law and came into effect on March 13th 2014. ( Enforcement is coming in stages).

Parental leave

Parents can take parental leave up to their childs 18th birthday. Before hand it was only until the child was five years old. Parental leave must not be confused with shared parental leave, a new right under the Childrens and Families Act 2014.

Enforced Subject Access – Data Protection Act 1998

Section 56 of the Data Protection Act 1998 became law on March 10th 2015. From this date it is a criminal offence to require someone to access and provide information on their criminal record. See Information Commisioners office guidance at ICO website.

Caste discrimination

Due Summer 2015,this aspect of discrimination is to be covered by the race provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

Pensions Auto Enrolment

Pensions Auto Enrolment is continuing to be rolled out as per number of employee’s on PAYE staging dates. Do not leave this too late!

Driving License – law changes (Company car drivers)

From June 8th 2015,the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will no longer be valid. It will no longer be issued by the DVLA.However industry experts are urging drivers not to destroy the paper counterpart too quickly. Difficulties may arise abroad for car hire or to test drive new buys. Visit: www.gov.uk – Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

As a Business owner of a Small Medium Enterprise,Dimension 88 can help you to keep legally compliant through our range of HR and Training services. If you are unsure of where you stand contact us today for a friendly chat.

This page is for Information purposes only. Professional and legal advice should be sought.