We round up the latest employment news.
Job boards found advertising roles below UK National Living Wage
A recent study by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has discovered a number of job boards, including those by Reed, Indeed and CV-Library, have been advertising roles that pay below the UK national living wage. On a single day in July, 46 vacancies were found offering salaries under the annualised minimum wage of £20,820. The national living wage, set at £11.44 per hour since 1 April 2024, equates to £20,820.20 annually for a full-time employee working 35 hours per week.
The TUC's findings align with estimates from the Low Pay Commission, suggesting that nearly 30% of jobs paying the minimum wage or below are salaried positions. The union has called for the government to take tougher action on wage breaches and ensure that all workers, including interns, are paid at least the legal minimum.
In response, job boards like CV-Library and Reed.co.uk have stated that they have measures in place to ensure compliance with wage laws and are investigating the reported breaches.
New guidance for supporting disabled employees released by EHRC
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued new guidance aimed at helping small and medium-sized employers support disabled employees in hybrid working environments. This guidance outlines employers' legal obligations and provides practical advice for recruitment and all stages of employment.
Key features include conversation prompts to encourage open discussions about reasonable adjustments, practical tips, and case study examples.
Low Pay Commission responds to updated remit
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has issued a policy paper in response to the government's updated remit for the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates, effective from April 2025. The LPC will consider the cost of living and expected inflation up to March 2026 to ensure that the NLW does not fall below two-thirds of median hourly earnings.
The government’s remit emphasises the importance of boosting low earnings and allowing for potential increases above the minimum threshold if economic conditions permit. The LPC has indicated that it will only recommend a rate below this threshold if it is necessary to prevent significant negative outcomes, such as job losses among low-paid workers.
To meet the government’s aim to abolish the 18-20 year old rate over time, the LPC has said it will narrow the gap between the 18-20 rate and the NLW next year.
CIPD report on tackling bullying and harassment issues
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has released a report examining workplace conflict and harassment in the UK. The report reveals a significant gap between employers' confidence in their conflict resolution policies and employees' willingness to report issues.
Key findings include:
- While 76% of respondents believe employers create a positive environment, 25% of employees have experienced conflict or abuse in the past year
- Despite 81% of employers feeling confident in managing these issues, only 36% of affected employees reported that their complaints were fully resolved
- Only 2% of employees reported unwanted sexual attention
- 22% of employers use NDAs for sexual harassment cases, with many unaware of their extent.
The CIPD recommends that employers promote their inclusive policies and set up effective reporting channels and frameworks to deal with conflict at an early stage.
TUC survey highlights need for action on zero-hours contracts
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has released a survey revealing significant challenges faced by workers on zero-hours contracts. The poll, conducted between 9 and 21 May 2024, shows that 84% of zero-hours workers wanted regular full-time hours, and 75% struggled to meet living expenses due to insufficient work hours.
Other findings include:
- 66% of zero-hours workers asked to work additional hours, but 58% had their requests denied
- 52% have experienced shift cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice, and 66% received no compensation for these cancellations
- 76% felt compelled to work despite being unwell, and 50% faced difficulties managing childcare.
The TUC underscores the importance of the upcoming Employment Rights Bill to improve employment standards and address these issues.
Carers UK asks government to provide paid carer's leave
The charity Carers UK has called on the government to give employees a statutory right to receive up to five days paid carer's leave per year. This proposal aims to extend the existing right to five days of unpaid leave established under the Carer's Leave Act 2023.
The report highlights the benefits of paid leave, particularly for women and lower-paid workers, and outlines potential costs and savings for HM Treasury. It also includes case studies from UK businesses already offering paid carer's leave.
With 2.8 million carers in paid employment and one in seven workers juggling work and care, Carers UK argues that paid leave could significantly improve productivity and the lives of millions of workers.
Labour Market Advisory Board launched to tackle economic inactivity
The UK government has launched a new Labour Market Advisory Board to address the nation's rising economic inactivity, described as the "greatest employment challenge for a generation." The board, appointed by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP, comprises experts from business, industrial relations, and academia.
At its inaugural meeting on 9 September, the board discussed strategies to combat the root causes of economic inactivity, such as poor physical and mental health. The aim is to help the government achieve an 80% employment rate. The board will develop new initiatives to reduce economic inactivity, with a focus on long-term sickness and suppressed wage growth.
The board's insights are designed to support the government's growth mission and efforts to increase employment opportunities across the country.
Date for Worker Protection Act confirmed
The UK government has announced that the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 will come into force on Saturday 26 October 2024.
This legislation, which received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023, requires employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Seven million UK private sector workers facing pensions crisis
A recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has revealed that up to 40% of private sector employees in the UK are at risk of retiring with inadequate pensions to fund their retirement. The study indicates that between five and seven million savers may not have sufficient pension savings to ensure a decent standard of living upon retirement.
The IFS attributes this looming crisis to the current automatic enrolment legislation, which mandates minimum pension contributions of 8% of earnings for employees earning over £10,000 annually. However, 22% of private sector workers are not enrolled in pension schemes, either because they have opted out to increase their monthly salaries or they don’t earn enough to qualify.
To address this issue, the IFS recommends that employers contribute 3% of an employee's salary to their pension, regardless of the employee's participation. This change could potentially boost pension contributions by £4 billion annually. Additionally, the IFS suggests raising the minimum contribution rate to 12% for those earning more than £35,000 a year.
UK signs first treaty on AI risks
The United Kingdom has signed the world's first legally-binding international treaty aimed at addressing the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Announced by the Ministry of Justice on 5 September 2024, the treaty seeks to bolster safeguards against potential threats to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Key provisions of the treaty include measures to protect human rights by ensuring the appropriate use of data, respecting privacy, and preventing discrimination.
It also aims to safeguard democracy by preventing the undermining of public institutions and processes. Additionally, the treaty mandates signatory countries to regulate AI-specific risks, protect citizens from potential harms, and ensure the safe use of AI.
The UK government will collaborate with regulators, devolved administrations, and local authorities to implement the treaty's requirements once ratified. This may involve strengthening existing legislation, such as the Online Safety Act 2023.
Combatting sexual harassment in the music industry
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), in collaboration with the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), has unveiled a comprehensive toolkit aimed at preventing sexual harassment within the music industry. This resource is designed to assist orchestra managers and HR professionals in understanding and implementing measures to combat harassment.
The toolkit provides a detailed overview of the legal framework surrounding sexual harassment and offers practical advice on steps orchestras can take to create a safer working environment.
Read more – September 2024
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