Employment law changes in October 2015

There are a number of employment law changes that came into effect in October 2015. These include the following:

From 1 October 2015

• The removal of the power for employment tribunals to make wider recommendations in successful discrimination cases. This means recommendations will no longer be made in relation to the workplace as a whole but only in relation to the individual complainant.

• The expansion of the right for Sikhs to wear a turban instead of a safety helmet to almost all workplaces in Great Britain, with certain limited exceptions for specific roles in the military and emergency services.

• An increase in the national minimum wage:
  • The adult rate for workers aged 21 and over increased to £6.70 per hour (from £6.50).
  • The rate for workers aged 18 – 20 increased to £5.30 per hour (from £5.13).
  • The rate for workers aged 16 – 17 increased to £3.87 per hour (from £3.79).
  • The apprentice rate increased to £3.30 per hour (from £2.73).

Expected in October 2015

• The new duty for commercial organisations carrying on business in the UK with a total turnover of £36 million or more, to prepare a slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year is expected to be brought into force in October 2015, subject to transitional provisions.