News

Employment Related News

National Minimum Wage

From 1st October 2007, the National Minimum Wage increased to £5.52 an hour for staff aged 22 and over; the rate for those aged 18 to 21 increased to £4.60 an hour with the rate for those aged 16 and 17 increasing to £3.40 an hour.

Updated 25/09/07

Annual Leave

Current minimum annual leave entitlement is 20 days (if the employee works a 5 day week), this can be made up of 12 normal working days and 8 bank holidays.

From 1 October 2007 the minimum entitlement will change to 24 days and from 1 April 2009 to 28 days. Again this can include the 8 bank holiday days.

Part-time workers are entitled to the same leave pro rata.

Updated 25/09/07

65 Years Young

From 1 October 2006 it is illegal to force anyone to retire before the age of 65, refuse someone a job, promotion, training, or benefits on the basis of age. Employees also have the right to request working after 65.

Updated 06/01/06

Flexible Working

Flexible Working came into effect in April 2003 where staff can request employers to amend their hours to suit personal circumstances. Reasonable consideration has to be given.

At the same time came the right for individuals to request key information from employers to establish if unequal pay policies are in effect; this actually seems contrary to the Data Protection Act and Common Law but still stands!

Updated 12/12/03

Our HR partners, Partners in People, can assist in ensuring you comply with all employment legislation.
Contact: oxford@partnersinpeople.co.uk