The EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

Although the GDPR does not come in to force until 2018, a lot of preparation is required from employers before the new regulations take effect. So, preparing for the GDPR will be high priority for employers in 2017.

The new regulations will require consent of individuals to have their data processed; and notification of breaches to the data protection authority. The new regulations extends to information such as trade union membership, religious belief or political opinion and information relating to health.

In addition to the above organisations that are not compliant by May 2018 risk fines of up to 20 millioneuros or 4% of annual worldwide turnover, whichever is higher.

Employers’ duties under gender pay gap reporting

This is due to be implemented in April 2017.

The new regulations will require employers with 250 or more employees in the private, public and voluntary sectors to calculate and publish the gender pay gap within their Company.

The first gender pay gap report must be published by 4 April 2018 and must be based on information as it is in the pay period in which 5 April 2017 falls.

There is a separate requirement to publish the difference between bonus payments paid to men and women.

Apprenticeship levy on large employers introduced

In 2015 the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed that an apprenticeship levy will be imposed on large employers in both public and private industries. This is to meet the cost of apprenticeship training.

Employers with an annual payroll of more than £3 million will be required to pay a 0.5% levy on their total pay bill starting on 6 April 2017. They will receive an allowance of £15,000 to offset against the payment of the levy.

Along with the above changes, you should also look out for the following this year:

• Tax-free childcare scheme comes to come into force
• Changes to the rate of the national minimum wage and the national living wage aligned which is expected 1 April 2017
• National minimum wage rate for workers rises and to take place 1 April 2017
• Changes to national insurance rates – Lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions increases
• New rate of statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay comes into force
• Lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions increases
• Statutory sick pay rate of £89.35 per week

Should you have an employment law related query or would like further information on the above, please contact one of our expert lawyers on 020 7903 6888 now.

The material contained on this website contains general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. While every care has been taken in the preparation of the information on this site, readers are advised to seek specific legal advice in relation to any decision or course of action.