What is new in April for HR professionals?

Big news is that according to the Independent this morning around 1,500 organisations failed to report their gender pay gap data by the deadline of midnight on Wednesday, 4 April, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ECHR). The ECHR said it will write to employers who have failed to produce the relevant information on 9 April and give them 28 days to report. If they fail to meet the extended deadline, they will face an investigation and legal action.

Don’t forget from 1 April 2018 there were changes to the national minimum wage.

• Workers aged 25 and over: £7.83 an hour (National Living Wage)

• Workers aged 21 and over: £7.38 an hour

• Development rate for workers aged 18-20: £5.90 an hour

• Young workers rate for workers aged 16-17: £4.20 an hour

• Apprentice rate: £3.70 an hour

On 6 April statutory maternity (SMP), paternity (SPP), adoption (SAP) and shared parental pay (ShPP) will rise from £140.98 to £145.18 a week. Usually the rate increase would be from 1 April, but the statement to Parliament announcing the new figures suggests the date this year may be Monday 9 April 2018.

Finally statutory sick pay (SSP) is due to rise this month from £89.35 to £92.05 and the lower earnings limit will rise from £113 to £116.

HR professionals have to be up to date with the law and it’s application – and our Employment Law in Practice from Recruitment to Termination programme will help ensure you are!

By Toni Trevett Director of CompleteHR Ltd

Published on Apr 05, 2018 by Anna Vassová