Low Pay Commission – minimum wage underpayment on the rise
A new report from the Low Pay Commission has found that the underpayment of workers on statutory minimum wage increased […]
Employee benefits
When does an employee's entitlement to long-term disability benefits cease?
Statutory employment changes from April 2019
Is it safe to dismiss an employee who is receiving long-term disability benefits?
The EAT has dealt a blow to employers, confirming that the purpose of permanent health insurance and similar schemes would […]
Labour's plan to force businesses to hand equity to their staff has divided opinion. What would the policy mean for UK businesses?
The shadow chancellor John McDonnell has revealed details of Labour's employee ownership policy which would see every company with more than 250 staff set up an "inclusive ownership fund" (IOF). Under the proposal, an IOF would own up to 10 per cent of the company's equity on its workers' behalf.
Ensuring employees are aware of pension choices – points to consider
The recent decision of the Deputy Pensions Ombudsman in a complaint by the estate of a deceased employee against Belfast City Council (BCC) highlights that employers are required to make appropriate enquiries and provide sufficient advice to employees to ensure that they are able to make the best choices regarding their pension benefits.
Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018 receives royal stamp of approval
The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018 was given royal assent on 13 September 2018, having started out in July 2017 as a Private Member's Bill subsequently supported by the government.
Supreme Court hears Barnardo's RPI/CPI Appeal
Dentons' Reward team are advising the Representative Beneficiaries of the Barnardo's Staff Pension Scheme ("the Scheme") in an application to the Supreme Court to decide whether the Scheme rules permit a switch from RPI to CPI for revaluation or indexation of pension payments.
All workers to benefit from the right to an itemized payslip
An Order for an amendment to the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA) has now been made. The Order will grant every worker the right to an itemised pay statement from 6 April 2019.
The gig economy – focus on the future
As the gig economy has grown and developed, so too has the law relating to so-called "gig workers" and how their employment status should be regarded. As we have reported previously, in November last year, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) rejected app-based taxi firm Uber's appeal against the Employment Tribunal's (ET) earlier decision that its drivers should be categorised as workers rather than self-employed contractors.
Taylor Review – update
The House of Commons Work and Pensions and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committees (the Committees) made recommendations in November 2017 for addressing the issues raised in the Taylor Review. These included:
Improving the Pensions Regulator– Increase Powers or Increase Resource?
Recent high profile insolvencies (e.g. Carillion and BHS) have seen widespread criticism of the Pensions Regulator ("TPR"). It stands charged with failure to use its intervention powers despite being aware of companies prioritising dividends over deficit recovery contributions, despite trustees urging it to intervene. By the time TPR took action it was too late.