With 2016 well under way it’s a good time to take a look at what is coming up in terms of employment law.

I have summarised the main highlights below. If you have any questions please do no hesitate to contact me using the numbers at the foot of this briefing.

Zero Hours Contracts
Whilst exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts were made unenforceable last year, from 11th January 2016 regulations come into force which give zero hours employees the right not to be unfairly dismissed and zero hours employees and workers the right not to suffer detriment as a result of failing to comply with exclusivity clauses.

National Living Wage
The national living wage will be introduced on 1st April 2016.  For the first time, all employers will be obliged to pay staff aged 25 and over the National Living wage, which is initially set at £7.20.  For staff aged under 25, the National Minimum Wage rates will continue to apply.
At the same time the penalty for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage will double from 100% of arrears to 200% of arrears, though the overall maximum of £20,000 will remain unchanged.

Employer NICs for Apprentices under the age of 25
From April 2016 employers will not have to pay Class 1 NICs in respect of “young apprentices” (apprentices under the age of 25) which was announced in the Chancellor’s 2014 Autumn Statement in a bid to make it cheaper to employ young people.  The exemption will apply to Class 1 NICs on earnings up to the upper earnings limit.

The Gender Pay Gap reporting
From 26th March 2016, businesses with 250 or more employees will have to publish information about the difference in pay between men and women – including any gap in bonus payments.  Whilst the detail of what needs to be reported is yet to be released, businesses would be well advised to make sure they have the relevant data available, and start work on the identification of any gaps, and measures to address them.

No increase in statutory rates
Whilst the rates for statutory maternity pay, statutory paternity pay, statutory adoption pay and statutory shared parental pay usually rise each year the Government are proposing that 2016 sees no changes because of a fall in the Consumer prices Index, to which the rates are related.

Trade Unions
The Trade Union Bill, which is to be debated in the House of Lords next week will introduce a rule that 50% of union members must support a strike for it to be considered valid.   It also sets time limits for any action to take place after the ballot is taken.

Key decisions
2016 will also see a number of key decisions in the courts which will affect   employers.  These include cases on whether commission should be taken into account in holiday pay; redundancy consultation; whistleblowing; equal pay and age discrimination.

Michael Newman
Newman HR Ltd
Tel 0203 640 7748
Fax 020 8532 1021
Mobile 07899 697 172
Email mnewman@ukemploymentlawadvice.co.uk