Below outlines the timetable of reform anticipated for 2016 and early 2017.
1 January 2016
Whistleblowing annual reports. From 1 January 2016, regulations have been brought into force under section 148 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, allowing the Secretary of State to introduce regulations requiring certain prescribed organisations to produce annual reports detailing whistleblowing disclosures they have received.
11 January 2016
Exclusivity terms in zero hours contracts. From 11 January 2016, the Exclusivity Terms in Zero Hours Contracts (Redress) Regulations 2015 came into force. They provide a remedy for workers with zero hours contracts against employers who try to include exclusivity clauses in their contracts of employment.
The regulations give employees on zero hours contracts a right to claim unfair dismissal where they are dismissed by reason of failing to comply with an exclusivity clause. They also provide a remedy where an employee has been subjected to a detriment for failing to comply with an exclusivity clause in a zero hours contract.
1 February 2016
Whistleblowing "prescribed persons". On 1 February 2016, the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2015 will come into force, amending the list of "prescribed persons" to whom whistleblowing disclosures can be made.
First half of 2016
Gender pay differences reporting. During the first half of 2016, new regulations are expected, requiring employers in the private and voluntary sector with at least 250 employees to report on the difference in pay between male and female employees.
First half of 2016
Shared parental leave with grandparents. The Chancellor announced last year that he will extend shared parental leave to working grandparents. The Government will consult on the details of legislation in the first half of 2016 in order to implement the policy in 2018.
April 2016
National Living Wage. From April 2016, a new National Living Wage will be introduced for workers aged 25 and over.
April 2016
Rates of statutory pay. The rates of Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay and Maternity Allowance will remain at £139.58 per week. The rate of Statutory Sick Pay will remain at £88.45 per week.
By 18 June 2016
Posted workers. By 18 June 2016, the UK must implement the Posted Workers Enforcement Directive. For more on this, see our article in the last edition of "Work, rest and pay" here.
Early 2017
Tax-free childcare scheme. A new tax-free childcare scheme to support eligible parents with childcare costs is set to come into force, replacing the existing Employer Supported Childcare scheme.
Eligible working families will be able to claim 20 per cent of qualifying childcare costs for children under five (and children with disabilities under 17) with claims capped at £2,000 per child. The new scheme will be available for children under 12 within the first year of the scheme's operation.
The implementation of the scheme has been delayed due to a legal challenge. However, the Supreme Court has found the Government's proposals to be lawful and the scheme is now expected to launch from early 2017.
April 2017
Apprenticeship levy. Employers will be required to pay an apprenticeship levy at a rate of 0.5 per cent of their pay bill. Employers will be entitled to a £15,000 allowance, meaning that the levy will only affect employers with a pay bill in excess of £3m.
Please click on the links below for the other articles in the January 2016 edition of Work, rest and pay:
