A summary of these changes;

Statutory Rates

• The maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal will increase to £86,444 (from £83,682).
• The limit on a week’s pay used to calculate certain statutory payments and provisions will rise to £525 (from £508).
• Statutory sick pay will increase to £94.25 per week (from £92.05) from 6 April 2019.
• Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay will increase from £145.18 to £146.68 per week from 7 April 2019.

Itemised Payslips

As of 6 April 2019, rules on payslips come into force;

1. Payslips must include additional information for individuals whose pay varies depending on the number of hours that they have worked. The payslip must set out the number of hours paid for on this variable basis.
2. The right to a payslip is extended to all workers, rather than just employees.

National Minimum Wage Rates

The National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates will change as follows from 1 April:-

1. NLW rate for those aged 25 years and older - increases from £7.83 to £8.21 per hour
2. 21 to 24 year old rate - increases from £7.38 to £7.70 per hour
3. 18 to 20 year old rate - increases from £5.90 to £6.15 per hour
4. 16 to 17 year old rate - increases from £4.20 to £4.35 per hour

Auto Enrolment

Under the new requirements, employers and employees will now have to contribute a minimum of 3% and 5% respectively.

Second gender pay gap reports

The deadline for the second round of gender pay gap reporting is approaching:

• Private / voluntary sector employers with 250 or more employees need to publish an annual gender pay gap report (by 4 April each year, based on a snapshot of data taken on 5 April the previous year).
• For relevant public sector employers, reports are due by 30 March.

What next for you?

It’s a good time to review policies and employment documents In line with these changes to ensure you are up to date and compliant with the new legislation.