Monday, October 03, 2011
From October 1st 2011, there have been two important changes to legislation that you should be aware of: The National Minimum Wage rates will be: - • £6.08 per hour for workers aged 21 or more • £4.98 per hour for workers aged 18-20 • £3.68 per hour for workers aged 16-17 • Apprentices who are under the age of 19 have to be paid at least £2.60 per hour as well as those aged 19 and over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. For workers that are provided with accommodation, this will be increased to £4.73 per day.
2. The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 will come into effect. This entitles Temporary Workers and Agency workers to the same basic working and employment conditions that they would have had if they were employed by the company. They will have to work a period of 12 weeks in the same role and with the same hirer before they are entitled to this.
Also, all agency temps will be entitled to certain rights from the first day of an assignment. These include access to childcare facilities, canteens, car parking and the right to be notified of permanent vacancies. Occupational social security schemes, such as company pension schemes and occupational sick pay, are not included in basic working and employment conditions.