The biggest shake-up to workplace pensions is currently underway. Life expectancy in the UK is increasing and at the same time people are saving less into a pension. New regulations now provide duties for employers to automatically enrol workers into a workplace pension scheme and make contributions into it. Employer obligations in relation to this new legislation and the process they should follow are highlighted below. What employers must do? Employers are required to automatically enrol workers into a workplace pension who: Are not already…
Are you making sure that all of your office electrical points are fit for purpose? Because you should - in reality, infrequent PAT tests simply won't cut it. '13 amp plug tops' are in every day use and should be safe to use they also form part of the portable appliance testing (PAT) procedure. The 13 amp plug top must be inspected and fuse rating correct for the appliance load. British power sockets are fully regulated by the UK government. The BS 1363A standard for…
Please note, legislation has been updated in regards to holiday calculations since this article was written, effective for holiday years starting on or after 1 April 2024, so some of the content below may be out-of-date. If you're a Moorepay client, please contact us if you need guidance. Otherwise, please see this article on the changes for more information. Following the landmark case in 2014 which ruled that overtime could be included in Holiday Pay, overtime now plays a part in this calculation. In this…
The status of workers and whether or not they should be categorised as employees is one of the most difficult questions in employment law. This is underlined by the recent case of Quashie v Stringfellows Restaurants Ltd. In this case the Employment Tribunal found that Ms Quashie was not an employee, the Employment Appeal Tribunal decided that she was and finally the Court of Appeal decided that she was not. The situation is not helped by parliament providing broadly similar definitions of a “worker” in…
Santa has a safety message to make sure you, your co-workers and your family stay safe over the festive season... Fairy Lights Check the fuses - ensure they are the are the right rating (see the box for the maximum size of fuse you should use) If bulbs blow, replace them Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to bed / sleep Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper. decorations Don’t overload socket outlets…
If you've been working hard growing your business all year, you are entitled to some winter fun. But remember trips away have their hazards too... Skiing has been very popular for many years and the numbers of those participating in the newer snow sports such as snowboarding short boarding has seen dramatic increases, since the winter Olympics. Novices and experts alike will be out there on and off pistes practicing their skills at one of the many ski slopes in the UK and abroad. For…
As Christmas draws closer, it’s time to unwind and have fun with your colleagues at the end of the year. Companies are likely to have more or less the same legal responsibilities at the Christmas Party as during office hours. But with great planning and communication, you can completely avoid any potential problems. Health & Safety Safety is obviously one of the main considerations, which is why risk assessment before the event is crucial. This will reduce accident risks and help defend a claim if…
Ebola - it's all over the news at the moment...But it won't affect us will it? There's a lot of technical and medical information on Ebola virus from all over the world and it is hard to know what is fact or just gossip. All you really need to know is how it can affect you, your family, your friends and your employees. Do I need to be concerned about it spreading in UK? In short, if you do not live in one of the higher…
The right to request flexible working has now extended to all employees - not just those caring for a child or dependant adult. Under the provision of the Children and Families Act 2014 from 30th June 2014 an extension of the right to the existing request flexible working process was introduced. The statutory right to request procedure has now been replaced by an ACAS Code of Practice. These changes are intended to make it easier for employees to apply to change their hours, the days…
Now fathers and partners as well as mothers can take time off with their new baby. Shared Parental Leave is being introduced to enable both parents to be able to take paid time off to look after their child within the 52 weeks following the birth. Due to come into force on 1st December 2014, the new regulations will apply for any baby born on or after 5th April 2015. The regulations also apply to Adoption, so will apply to any child adopted on or…
