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.