Spring means changes in employment law for HR professionals, but 2017 brings a great deal more changes than usual. The most significant shifts are the introduction of the gender pay gap reporting for large companies and the immigration skills charges.
1. Gender pay gap reporting
Every year, larger employers (those with 250 or more employees) will have to report data about their gender pay gap, including bonus payments.
2. Reform to the intermediaries rules (IR35) in the public sector
New rules will apply in relation to payments made from 6 April 2017.
3. National minimum wage
Increases to the national minimum wage will deliver higher payroll figures for many businesses.
4. Immigration skills charge
From 6th of April 2017, organisations paying for general (tier 2) visas for the employment of foreign workers must pay an immigration skills levy.
5. Apprenticeship levy
Employers with an annual payroll of over £3 million must pay a 0.5 per cent levy on their total pay bill.
