0370 270 6000
Home arrow Insights & events arrow Resources arrow Blogs arrow Employment law changes taking effect on 1 October 2013

Employment law changes taking effect on 1 October 2013

1 October 2013

Today brings with it two significant changes to the employment law arena:

  1. The abolition of third party harassment – an employer will no longer be liable if it fails to act when it knows that an employee is being harassed by a third party. However, companies should remain vigilant as liability may still arise in another form (e.g. if an employee resigns as a result of third party harassment and seeks to bring a constructive dismissal claim);
  2. An increase in the national minimum wage:
    • workers aged 21 and over – £6.31
    • workers between 18 and 20 – £5.03
    • non-apprentice workers under 18 but above school age – £3.72
    • apprentices – £2.68

The above rates will also apply to agricultural workers who join the industry today. Traditionally agricultural workers have been entitled to generous rates of pay based on the grade or category of work involved. Despite the cost savings, this change is likely to be a double edged sword. New starters will likely be disgruntled when they find out they are being paid less than their counterparts.

For more a more detailed breakdown of the changes that are taking place please read our legal bulletin.

Related opinions

Vaccinations in the Workplace: a higher expectation than one may think

There is currently no legislation requiring employees within the UK to have the COVID-19 vaccine. However, a recent Acas survey found that approximately 22% of employers intend to require their new staff to have the COVID-19 vaccination, and 21% would require their existing staff to be vaccinated too.

View blog

Fire and Re-hire

In late March, P&O Ferries made 800 members of staff redundant instantaneously and with no notice, to then go on to replace them with cheaper agency workers. This sparked wide range shock and triggered government interest in introducing a new statutory code of practice covering fire and rehire.

View blog

Planning the future of mental health and wellbeing

Throughout the pandemic with the Covid-19 isolations and with many of us (still) working from home, there seems to have been sea-change, a recognition of the importance of mental health and wellbeing.

View blog

Trans Rights: A transitionary phase socially, politically and legally.

31 March was International Transgender Day of Visibility: a day to celebrate the transgender community whilst raising awareness of the discrimination they face on a daily basis.

View blog

View all blogs

Mailing list sign up

Select which mailings you would like to receive from us.

Sign up

Quick links

Information

  1. ISO 27001 INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT UKAS
  2. Investors in people
  3. Lexcel
  5. Plain English Campaign Approved

© Copyright Browne Jacobson LLP 2022 - All rights reserved