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1 January
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Whistleblowing
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“Prescribed persons” are required to produce annual reports of whistleblowing
disclosures (without identifying the worker who made the disclosure, their
employer or other person about whom the disclosure was made).
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11 January
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Zero hours contracts
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Regulations came into force which provides the right to unfair dismissal
protection for employees working under a zero hours contract, who are dismissed
because the employee has failed to comply with an exclusivity clause.
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February
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Recruitment agencies
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The Government intends to reform the regulation of recruitment agencies.
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1 April
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National Living Wage
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National Living Wage for workers aged 25 and over will be introduced at the
rate of £7.20 per hour.
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6 April
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Statutory payments for SMP
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There will be no increase in the weekly rates. These will remain as follows:
- SMP, SAP, PP and ShPP - £139.58 per week
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Sick pay - £88.45 per week.
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Date TBC (but expected in April)
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New unpaid award penalties
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Business that do not pay Tribunal Awards made against them will be subject to a penalty notice of 50% of the outstanding amount, subject to a £100 minimum and £5,000 maximum.
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Date TBC
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Trade unions
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Proposed trade union reforms expected to take effect.
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Date TBC
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Exit payments for apprenticeships
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The Enterprise Bill 2015-16 will introduce:
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A £95,000 cap on exit payments made to public sector workers to end
six-figure payoffs
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Regulations to restrict the use of the word “apprenticeship” to
Government-accredited schemes and to increase the number of public
sector apprenticeships offered.
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Date TBC
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Gender Pay Reporting
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Section 78 of the Equality Act 2010 enables the Government to make
regulations requiring employers with over 250 employees to publish their gender
pay gap. The Government’s response to the consultation is expected soon.
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