Downtown Recruitment's Client Blog

The Default Retirement Age (DRA) is to be phased out this year, the government has confirmed.

It means employers will no longer be allowed to dismiss staff just because they have reached the age of 65.

The Department for Business said that as well as benefiting individuals, “the freedom to work for longer will provide a boost to the UK economy”.

Employers had called for the changes to be delayed for a year to allow greater legal clarity over the plans.

For more information from BBC News Click Here.

For more information from Investment Sense Click Here.

New government legislation affecting temporary workers rights is to be introduced in October 2011. The new legislation which originated from the European Union will give temporary workers some of the same rights as comparable permanent employees after a 12 week qualifying period.  This will include equal pay, holiday entitlement, bonuses (under certain conditions) and employee facilities e.g. crèche facilities canteens etc, but does not extend to pensions and company sick pay.  If you would like more information please contact Steve Young on 01844-211792.

An attempt by a company to continue deducting travel expenses from minimum wage payments has been thrown out by a court.

The new rule outlaws deducting travel expenses (from minimum wage employees) and means the minimum wage must be paid in full even if other expenses are being paid out.

For the full story visit the link to the BBC website.

The Equality Act 2010 became law on 1st October 2010.  The new act replaces previous legislation including the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Act 1995 and aims to simplify, update and ensure consistency across the board.

The Equality Act 2010 covers the following:-

Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage and Civil Partnership, Pregnancy and Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation.

Other areas that are also covered include a requirement to disclose pay rates of employees if there could be grounds for discrimination and some restrictions with regard to pre-employment health checks.  Most of the legislation will remain unaffected but some will change.  For example an employee will be able to complain of harassment even if it is not directed at them as long as they can demonstrate that it creates an offensive environment.

For more information please visit the following website:-

Government Equalities Office Website

ACAS

The Equality Act – What is new for Employers?

Wikipedia – The Equality Act 2010

In an attempt to get people back into work quickly after illness or injury the pro forma medical note will no longer give options of fitness or unfitness for work and instead will require a statement that either the patient is unfit or “may be fit for work, taking into account the following…

The GP can add advice as to how the employee’s condition affects what they can do and how they might be able to return to work. This may include advising a phased return to work, amended hours or duties and workplace adaptations and employers should discuss the advice with their employee to agree a return to work or a review date. Employees may be signed off for a maximum of 3 months and the form may only be required after 7 days of absence.

Businesslink Website Link

Direct Gov Website Link

From 1^st October 2010, minimum wage will increase according to the following figures:

• Workers aged 21 and over: £5.93 per hour (currently £5.80).
• Workers aged 18 – 21: £4.92 per hour (currently £4.83).
• Workers aged 16 – 17: £3.64 per hour (currently £3.57).

For more information please click here.