Top 20 HR things every employer needs to know

Following recent changes to HR legislation here are the top 20 things every employers needs to know.

1. People don’t have to be employed by you to take you to an employment tribunal for discrimination
2. When recruiting for new employees if someone applies for a job and you don’t invite them in for an interview they could make a claim for discrimination
3. During recruitment process make sure you have and follow a selection criteria
4. You cannot ask pre employment health questionnaire, this is now illegal you may only ask questions about the employees health once you have offered them the job.
5.  A person does not have to be registered to be covered by disability discrimination legislation.
6. For each employee you will need to see and take copies of documents proving a right to work in the UK
7. If caught employing an illegal worker employers are fined up to £20,000
8. By law all employees must have a written statement of terms and conditions within 8 weeks of starting employment.
9. All employees must be paid statutory sick pay if off work for four days or longer.
10. Flexible working is available for all employees
11. Employees are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave; 50 can be shared with the other parent.
12. When returning from maternity leave, employees do not have an automatic right to return to work part time
13. Employers must offer employees access to a pension, if employees are over 22 they must be automatically y enrolled in the pension.
14. Employees working part time are entitled to 28 days holiday pro-rata
15. Discrimination claims are uncapped so there is no limit on the payout.
16. When dismissing an employee who has worked for the company for less than two years be careful as they may not be able to claim unfair dismissal however they can claim discrimination.
17. A work colleague or trade union representative is the only people who can accompany an employee at disciplinary and grievance meetings.
18. Clauses in employment contracts cannot be changed without consultation with the employees concerned.
19. All employees have a right to raise a grievance
20. Employees on long-term sick leave still accrue annual holiday entitlement.

Please refer to your own HR policies and procedures as well as legislation when dealing with any HR issues.