HR Alert: New national living wage
MILLIONS of workers across the country will receive an increase in pay as the new national living wage comes into force from the beginning of April.
Compensation limits increase
From 6 April, the statutory limit for a week’s pay will be increased to £479 (currently £475) and the maximum compensatory award in unfair dismissal claims will raise to £78,962 (currently £78,335).
Ask the expert: Overtime payments and holiday pay
Q. CAN you advise how my practice should deal with overtime payments in relation to calculating holiday pay? Employees at my practice regularly work overtime and I want to ensure that their holiday pay reflects the work they do. What factors should be considered when calculating this?
Case study: Dealing with long-term absence
BACKGROUND: A bus driver, Mr P, is diagnosed with depression after the sudden death of his daughter just two days after she gave birth. He is off work for seven months and, despite having 10 years of service, Mr P is sacked on 90 days’ notice.
Did you know?
THE Employment Law team at MDDUS have a range of useful documentation available, including a template contract of employment, template handbook including social media policy and fact sheets addressing such topics as disciplinary, short-term absence, changing contracts and redundancy.
Are tribunal fees to be abolished?
THE Scottish government will be able to exercise powers relating to tribunals as part of new devolved powers for Scotland as promised under the Smith Commission Agreement.
Don't forget
FROM April 6, the following changes took place:
Hospital secretary jailed for stealing funds
AN NHS secretary has been jailed for 16 months at Dundee Sheriff Court for embezzling money from a hospital charity fund.
Practices should update sickness policies to reflect new scheme
PRACTICES are reminded to update their sickness absence policies to reflect the new Fit for Work scheme currently being rolled out across the country.
Revised Acas code on disciplinary and grievance procedures
EMPLOYERS must agree to a worker's request to be accompanied by any chosen companion from one of the statutory categories at disciplinary and grievance hearings as part of revised Acas guidance.