National Minimum Wage (NMW) record-keeping requirements update.
With effect from 1st April 2021, the record-keeping requirements in the regulations (Reg. 59 NMW 2015) have been amended with a 2015 update.
It has increased the period that an employer must retain records sufficient to establish that the worker is being remunerated at a rate that is at least equal to the national minimum wages (NMW) - which has now increased from three to six years.
The increase in the retention period, ensures that the period that employers could be issued with a NMW underpayment, is now aligned.
SSP, and the end of shielding
Anyone that has been on payroll and shielding from COVID who has been claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), will from 1 April 2021, no longer be eligible.
They may be eligible for SSP or employment allowance, if they are sick or unable to work because of coronavirus or wider health reasons subject to meeting eligibility conditions.
Employees may continue to be eligible under the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme (CJRS) to be furloughed until the 30 September 2021, when the scheme is due to end, providing the employer agrees.