What’s in the news for employers:
nSmall employers are being warned that they face fines for not complying with pension auto-enrolment with estimates that about 1 in 5 employers have only a limited understanding of their responsibilities.
nEmployers cannot ignore auto-enrolment - even if staff do not want to join or are not eligible - and the necessary declarations still need to be made and an increased number of penalties have been issued. Further information on what you need to do can be found at the Pensions Regulator website here.
nMoving on from pensions, the latest statistics show that more older workers are in employment with the rate of employment for over-50s the highest on record. The default retirement age was abolished in 2011 and last year 1.14 million people aged 65 and over were in employment which is thought to be due to various reasons including the increase in state pension age for women, low interest rates and rising costs.
nA recent survey has found that almost one third of employees have experienced mental health issues at work, an increase in the past year from about 1 in 4. Only 41% of people surveyed felt confident in disclosing this to their employer with the majority remaining silent, perhaps not wanting to draw attention to any issues or the fear of losing their job.
nMental health issues are more prevalent and creating a healthy workplace is not restricted to larger organisations. Small changes, such as flexible working and better communication with employees can make a big difference.
nIn the news recently, research from the TUC suggests that more than half of women (52%) say they have been sexually harassed at work and most admit to not reporting it. The survey also found that a third of women had been subjected to unwelcome jokes and a quarter experienced unwanted touching.
nThis is not a laughing matter and an Employment Tribunal recently awarded an employee £18,000 after her complaints about harassment from a male colleague for some three years were ignored, even after he was convicted of harassment and threatening behaviour in the Courts.
nThe case highlights the importance of listening to employees and taking steps to avoid potentially expensive problems with procedures in the workplace and training for employees.
nIf you would like further information or support for your business please contact Sheila Watson on 01429 857082, sheila.watson@hartlepool.gov.uk
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