Big changes for Employers in 2024: New employment laws set for the upcoming year

You’ve heard of New Year, new me, but how about New Year, new employment laws?! There has been a recent surge in legislation that employers need to be aware of in the upcoming year and how it may impact them.

Here Kalpesh Nakeshree, Head of Employment law provides 3 key updates to be mindful of:

• National Minimum Wage

For the first time, the top rate of national minimum wage will apply to workers aged 21 and over from 01 April 2024 (currently it only applies to those aged 23 and over). The new top rate is set to be £11.44 which is an increase of 9.8% from 2023.

Employers must ensure that the correct minimum wage payments are made or they will risk claims being made from staff which could result in significant penalties and in some cases, reputational damage.

• Flexible Working Requests

It is anticipated that key changes will include for this right to apply from day one of employment. Currently, an employee needs to have 26 weeks’ continuous employment to make a flexible working request. Employees will also be able to make two requests in each 12-month period (currently, they are limited to one statutory request a year). Employers should have a flexible working policy in place to ensure a fair process is followed. If there is already a policy in place, employers should check that it is up to date.

• New Right to Leave for Carers

Currently there is no specific right for carers to take leave, however with The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 receiving Royal Assent last year this is expected to become law after April 2024. This Act will allow carers to take at least a week of unpaid leave from the very beginning of their employment commencing. Employers should consider reviewing and updating their policies to address leave requests for employees who are also acting as carers for a dependant.

If you are an employer looking to review, add or update your internal policies, please contact  Kalpesh Nakeshree in the employment team on York 01904 716000, Wetherby 01937 583210 or Malton 01653 692247 or email kalpesh.nakeshree@warekay.co.uk