The Government issues its employment law legislation on 1 October each year. Here are changes coming into force this October:
National Minimum Wage
The following hourly rates of national minimum wage will apply from 1 October 2012:
• The standard adult rate (workers aged 21 and over) will be £6.19.
• The development rate (workers aged between 18 and 20) will be £4.98 (unchanged from last year).
• The young workers rate (workers aged under 18 but above the compulsory school age who are not apprentices) will be £3.68 (unchanged from last year).
• The rate for apprentices will be £2.65.
• The accommodation offset will be £4.82 each day.
Pension Auto Enrolment
Staging for pension auto-enrolment begins. Employers are required to automatically enroll an eligible jobholder as an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme if they are not already participating in a workplace pension scheme. This duty on employers is implemented in stages with the date dependent on its PAYE scheme size and reference. 1 October 2012 is the start of this staging process.
Age Discrimination in Goods and Services: Are you compliant?
The ban on age discrimination in the provision of goods, services and facilities comes into force. You need to make sure your business is compliant with the new rules which affect a whole host of businesses such as pubs, restaurants, hotels and cinemas, and any business providing professional or trade services.
There are a number of exceptions to this new rule where it will remain lawful to treat people differently on the basis of age. Examples include:
• The rules only apply to over 18s, therefore organisations can continue to operate "no children" hotels and holidays;
• The provision of insurance products;
• The provision of concessions to particular age groups;
• Certain sports; and
• Benefits provided by a charity.
More information
If you have any queries about the content of this update, please contact a member of the employment team at Wake Smith or email [email protected]
