As usual, early April sees the introduction of a number of new regulations concerning employment law, employers and employees.

Employers should be aware of these points, and ensure that they change their policies where necessary to comply with the new regulations.

The new regulations include:

• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will rise to £79.15 per week from 6th April. Organisations that use the SSP scheme will have to update their payroll software and ensure that their records reflect the new rate.
• The statutory dispute resolution procedures was repealed and replaced with the revised ACAS Code of Practice on 6th April. Although the Code is not legally binding, failure to follow it can result in a tribunal adjusting any compensation award by up to 25%.
• Also from 6th April, employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage now face a penalty equivalent to 50% of the underpayment, and HMRC will be given stronger powers to investigate and prosecute employers who they suspect are underpaying their workforce.
• On 1st April, the statutory annual holiday entitlement was increased from 24 days a year for a full-time worker to 28 days, with public holidays included.
• 5th April saw the levels of statutory maternity pay, paternity pay and adoption pay rise from £117.18 to £123.06.
• From 1st April, businesses will no longer be entitled to the VAT Staff Hire Concession.
• The right to request flexible working was also changed on 6th April, allowing those with parental responsibility for children of 16 and under.

As specialist employment law solicitors, Ashby Cohen work on behalf of both employers and employees, advising and representing clients from all walks of life. If you are facing issues in your workplace which you feel we could help you with, do not hesitate to get in touch with us for a free initial telephone consultation.

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