We round up the latest employment news.
Extension to COVID-19 right to work checks concession
The Home Office has published updated guidance for employers carrying out adjusted COVID-19 right to work checks. It extends the concession, which allows employers to carry out a manual right to work check using video conferencing and copies of supporting documents to Friday 30 September 2022 (previously Tuesday 5 April 2022).
The deadline has been extended to give employers time to prepare to use identity document validation technology (IDVT) which will enable them to carry out digital right to work checks for British and Irish citizens with a valid passport. IDVT checks are available from Wednesday 6 April 2022. We’ve explained what you need to know here.
Code of practice on preventing illegal working published
The Home Office has published updated codes of practice on preventing illegal working, and avoiding unlawful discrimination while preventing illegal working, in force from Wednesday 6 April 2022.
HMRC asks employers to change payslips to reference the increase in NI
National Insurance contributions for employers and employees will rise by 1.25% from Wednesday 6 April 2022. The increase will fund health and social care and will be replaced in April 2023 by a separate health and social care levy. NIC rates will revert to current levels at that point.
The government has said that it wants to remind employees where the additional money is going and has asked employers to include the following message on all relevant payslips between Wednesday 6 April 2022 and Wednesday 5 April 2023: “1.25% uplift in NICs funds NHS, health & social care.”
Employers are not under a legal duty to include this information on payslips. In its most recent bulletin, HMRC has made it clear that it’s making a request rather than issuing a demand.
It is, however, very keen for employers and payroll providers to comply. It has contacted payroll software providers to request that they include this messaging in their software and wider support models, and has said that it will remind employers of this request shortly via a separate email.
New visa concessions for Ukrainian nationals
The Home Office has introduced new temporary visa concessions for Ukrainian nationals living in the UK. These include permitting those on an existing ‘points-based system route’ to extend their permission in the UK, and those on a visitor visa to switch into a point-based system or family route.
Those in the UK under the Seasonal Worker route will have their permission extended to Saturday 31 December 2022. Seasonal Workers sponsored in occupation codes 5431 (butchers) or 8211 (large goods vehicle drivers) are also permitted to switch into the Skilled Worker route in-country. The guidance webpage was updated on Thursday 24 February 2022.
Increase in employment compensation limits
From Wednesday 6 April 2022, compensation limits will increase for dismissals taking place on or after that date as follows:
- A week’s pay (relevant to determining the basic award in unfair dismissal claims and calculating redundancy payments) will increase from £544 to £571
- The maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal claims will increase from £89,878 to £93,878.
National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage
From Friday 1 April 2022, the National Living Wage, paid to workers aged 23 and over, will increase by 59p to £9.50.
The National Minimum Wage rates will also increase as follows:
- Those aged 21-22 will receive £9.18 per hour - an increase of 82p
- Those aged 18-20 will receive £6.83 - an increase of 27p
- Those aged 16-17 will receive £4.81 - an increase of 19p
- Apprentices under the age of 19, or in their first year will receive £4.81 - an increase of 51p.
Read more - March 2022
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