We round up the latest employment news.
Update: progress of carer’s Bill
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has announced that the government is backing a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP, Wendy Chamberlain. Once it has passed, the government will make regulations to give unpaid carers at least one week of unpaid leave each year from day one of their employment.
New online service to help employers support disabled people
The government has set up a new online service, Support with Employee Health and Disability, to help employers support disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace.
It’s aimed at smaller businesses, but any employer can access the service. It provides free advice on how to support and manage staff who may be in or out of work with a disability or long-term health condition. Users are taken through a series of questions and given practical, as well as basic legal advice.
The site is currently in test mode. Businesses and disability groups are invited to have their say through a short online survey. These responses will help to help shape the future of the service.
Acas publishes survey results on the important reasons for staying in a job
Acas has published the results from its new survey, commissioned by YouGov, which asked employees to list the three most important things keeping them in their current main job. The survey revealed that job security, competitive pay, flexible working and relationships with colleagues were the top reasons given by employees for choosing to remain in their current jobs.
New draft guidance on workplace monitoring
The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched a consultation on draft guidance on monitoring at work to help employers understand the law and adopt good practice. It’s asking for feedback on this document and any other insights from stakeholders by Wednesday 11 January 2023.
New draft guidance on using artificial intelligence and personal data
The Information Commissioner’s Office has published guidance and frequently asked questions on using artificial intelligence (AI) and personal data appropriately and lawfully.
New consultation on data protection of workers’ health
The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched a consultation on its draft guidance on how to lawfully process information about workers’ health. The document aims to provide practical guidance on how to handle workers’ health information in accordance with data protection legislation and to promote good practice. It's asking for feedback on the document until 5pm on Thursday 26 January 2023.
Government U-turns on cancelling IR35 off payroll rules
A few weeks ago, the government announced that it would repeal the IR35 off payroll rules from the start of the new tax year in April 2023. Those plans have now been scrapped by the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt.
This means that most businesses and organisations will need to continue carrying out status determination statements when engaging individual consultants via intermediaries such as personal service companies and to pay any tax required.
If your organisation gets the status determination wrong, it will be liable for the tax and national insurance contributions. The 12-month grace period (which provided some leniency for organisations making genuine mistakes) ended in April 2022. This means that if you make a mistake, you'll also have to pay penalties and interest. To find out how we can help you make the right call, please click here.
Extra bank holiday announced to celebration the King’s coronation
The Prime Minister's Office has announced an additional bank holiday on Monday 8 May 2023, in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on Saturday 6 May 2023.
Office for National Statistics releases gender pay gap statistics for 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published annual statistics for the differences in pay between men and women in the UK for 2022. The data shows the differences for men and women by age, region, occupation and full-time or part-time work.
The gender pay gap in April 2022 was 8.3%, up 1.2% from the pay gap at the same time in 2021. There remains a large difference in the gender pay gap when comparing employees aged over 40 and those aged under 40.
Business Disability Forum publishes sight loss toolkit including guidance for employers
The Business Disability Forum has published a Sight Loss Toolkit which includes guidance for employers, healthcare professionals, businesses, people with sight loss, and their friends and family. The Sight Loss Toolkit aims to remove barriers to accessing healthcare, finding work, and getting around by increasing understanding of sight loss.
Read more - November 2022
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