Key Workers/Essential Workers and Self Employment Support
SCE provide you with all the latest information on these Covid-19 topics.
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Employment Law FAQs
31
MarWhat are the statutory rates and compensation limits for 2020?
| National Minimum Wage | ||
| Age | Former Rate (£) | Current Rate (£) |
| Workers aged 25 and over (National Living Wage) | 8.21 | 8.72 |
| Workers aged 21 – 24 | 7.70 | 8.20 |
| Development rates for workers aged 18 – 20 | 6.15 | 6.45 |
| Young workers rate for workers aged 16 – 17 | 4.35 | 4.55 |
| Apprentices under 19, or over 19 and in their first year of the apprenticeship | 3.90 | 4.15 |
27
MarFurlough – what is it?
A furlough is “a temporary layoff from work.” People who get furloughed usually get to return to their job after a furlough.
Who is eligible?
All UK businesses regardless of industry or size.
The scheme is open to all UK employers that had a PAYE scheme in place on 28 February 2020.
Any organisation with employees can apply, including charities, recruitment agencies and public authorities; however, the government does not expect public sector employers to use it as long as central government continues funding wage costs in the normal way. With agency employees, the scheme is only available for agency employees who are not working.
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20
MarCoronavirus FAQs
This update is based on our knowledge at the time of writing (23 March 2020).
Our phones are ringing with various questions on Coronavirus. We’ve put together a note answering some of the regular questions. Please note that the government continue to make announcements and changes. The Coronavirus amendments to the SSP Regulations have been changed twice since last Friday when they were published.
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20
MarChanges to Employment Law from April 2020
April brings with it the usual annual increases to the national minimum wage and statutory pay for family-friendly leave and sickness absence. But the effects of Good Work: the Taylor review of modern working practices, published in 2017, are still being felt and changes are being introduced to protect vulnerable workers in increasingly flexible business models.
Changes to IR35 tax rules are also expected along with the introduction of the right to parental bereavement leave. A raft of measures designed to protect vulnerable workers also come into force. [name of solicitor] rounds off with a word on Brexit.
Read More 17
MarCoronavirus – Updated Guidance for Employers (17 March 2020)
Information about the Virus
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.
The NHS website has more information about how coronavirus is spread and answers common questions asked.
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4
MarCoronavirus: Guidance for employers (as at 3 March 2020)
Information about the Virus
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.
The NHS website has more information about how coronavirus is spread and answers common questions asked.
Read More
7
JunHow Do Employers Juggle Working Parents?
As the school holidays approach, working parents cross their fingers that their childcare plans hold. In this article I look at what employers need to consider when it comes to flexibility for working parents.
What are the statutory rates and compensation limits for 2019?
National Minimum Wage (NMW)
1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020
| Former Rate (£) | Current Rate (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage – Workers aged 25 and over | 7.83 | 8.21 |
| Workers aged 21 -24 | 7.38 | 7.70 |
| Workers aged between 18 – 20 | 5.90 | 6.15 |
| Workers aged under 18 but above compulsory school age who are not apprentices | 4.20 | 4.35 |
| Apprentices under 19 years old or over 19 and in their first year of their apprentices | 3.50 | 3.90 |
19
FebHow can we handle an employee who is underperforming?
Allow the employee every opportunity to explain their underperformance. Establish whether there are any underlying reasons for the poor performance, such as disability, health, or personal problems outside of work. If necessary, provide the employee with additional support, supervision and training.
Let the employee know exactly what they need to do to improve their performance. Put targets in writing and include a timescale of how long they have to improve. Ensure that you continue to monitor their performance and meet with the employee frequently and note their progress.
When performance problems persist or escalate these should then be dealt with on a formal basis. Ensure you follow a fair procedure, as defined in your company capability procedure.
It may be reasonable to dismiss an employee who is not meeting your required standards as long as you have followed a fair and legal procedure.
Remember, an employee with more than two years’ service who is dismissed on grounds of incapability may bring an unfair dismissal claim.
Solution
If you would like to develop a capability policy, or have an employee who is underperforming, call us for a free initial consultation for specific guidance tailored to your individual case.