Changes to employment law October 2015
Every October there are always some changes to employment law, here are some of the key changes that employers need to know;
National minimum wage increases
This will have increased from the 1st of October, how it will effect each age band;
- 21 and overs from £6.50 to £6.70 per hour
- 18 to 20 years £5.13 to £5.30 per hour
- 16 and 17 year olds who are above compulsory school age will increase from £3.79 to £3.87 per hour.
- 16 to 18 year old apprentices from £2.73 to £3.30 per hour.
Ban for drivers smoking in cars with children under 18
This ban came into effect from the 1st October, it will mean that it is a criminal offence to smoke when a person under 18 is present in the car.
For employers consider your smoking and company car policies as it may affect employees who use a company car for family purposes.
Fit for Work Scheme
The fit for Work scheme has now been rolled out in England and Wales. This scheme will allow both employers and GP’s to refer employees who have been off sick for 4 weeks or more for a Fit for Work referral.
For an employer to make a referral the employee needs to be off sick for more than 4 weeks and has had at least a phased return to work and has not been referred for a fit to work assessment within the last 12 months. The employee will need to give their consent. If a GP has made a referral then the employer can not make one