We round up the latest employment news.
Job retention bonus – eligibility requirements
The government has published a policy paper on the Job Retention Bonus, which explains how the scheme will work. Find out more about the Job Retention Bonus.
Access to Work scheme extended to help disabled people work from home or travel to work
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that disabled people can get financial support to help them work from home during the pandemic. Funding is also now available to cover taxi fares and public transport costs if health conditions prevent them from travelling on public transport. Plus, anyone considered clinically extremely vulnerable can have a new application fast-tracked.
Health and Safety Executive publishes new guidance on lone working
The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance on lone working for employers. This covers stress and other health factors, managing the health and safety risks of working alone, training, supervision and monitoring, and work-related violence.
New HR1 form
The government has published an updated version of the HR1 form employers have to use to notify the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payment Service if they propose to make 20 or more employees redundant within a 90-day period. It’s also updated its guidance.
DWP publishes factsheets on redundancy
The DWP has published two factsheets on redundancy. The employee’s factsheet offers guidance on the support and information available to find a new job. The document explains where to look for jobs, how individuals can improve their skills, what benefits are available, where advice can be sought on redundancy-related issues, and where information can be found on pensions.
The employers factsheet provides guidance on support available from the DWP’s Rapid Response Service, and details sources of useful information, such as gov.uk, Acas, trade union responsibilities, HMRC, the Insolvency Service, the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Chamber of Commerce, and others.
New incentive payments for hiring an apprentice
The Education and Skills Funding Agency has published new guidance about incentive payments employers can apply for if they take on a new apprentice between Saturday 1 August 2020 and Sunday 31 January 2021. Employers who employ an apprentice aged between 16 and 24 will receive £2,000, while those that employ apprentices aged over 25 will receive £1,500. This is in addition to the existing £1,000 payment for taking on an apprentice aged between 16 and 18, or one aged over 25 who has an education, health and care plan, or has been in care. Payments are made in two instalments – the first half on the apprentice’s completion of 90 days of work, and the second half after 365 days of work.
HMRC extends tax-free and free childcare eligibility
HMRC has announced that it’s extended its temporary changes to the eligibility criteria for tax-free childcare and 30-hours free childcare during coronavirus. Working parents or carers, who are eligible for tax-free childcare or 30-hours free childcare but have temporarily fallen below the minimum income requirement because of coronavirus, will continue to receive financial support until Saturday 31 October 2020. Critical workers who may exceed the income threshold for the 2020 to 2021 tax year, because of working more during coronavirus, will continue to receive support this tax year.
Government updates regulation guidance for employment agencies and businesses
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has updated its guidance for employment agencies and businesses regarding the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations 2003. The updated guidance relates to regulation 13A, which came into force on Monday 6 April 2020 and requires a ‘key information document’ to be provided for agency workers. It's also provided specific templates and guidance explaining the amended regulation.
Justice delayed is justice denied – employment tribunals at crisis point
The Law Society has called on the government to take urgent action to clear the backlog of 40,000 existing employment tribunals claims to make way for the anticipated 'avalanche' of post-coronavirus claims. Hearings are regularly being listed more than 12 months into the future – and it's not uncommon to be given dates in 2022. The Law Society argues that this essentially means that many people are denied justice.
Read more – August 2020
Quarantine – how to deal with staff returning from holidays abroad
Updated FAQs about making furloughed staff redundant
Overclaimed furlough grants? If you don’t own up HMRC could name and shame you
Whistleblowing: why are claims increasing and what’s the best way to respond?
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