National Minimum Wage Rates April 2024:
The age for the National Living Wage rate will reduce from 23 year olds to 21 year olds.
Under 18s and apprentice rates increase from £5.28 to £6.40 per hour
18 -20 year olds increase from £7.49 to £8.60 per hour
21 and overs increase from £10.18 or £10.42 to £11.44 per hour
Flexible Working:
From April 2024, all employees will be entitled to request flexible working arrangements from the first day of their employment rather than after 26 weeks as is currently. This includes requests for part-time, term-time, flexi-time, compressed hours and varied working locations. Before rejecting any request, employers need to be aware that they now have to explain the reasons behind their decision and are obliged to respond to flexible working requests within 2 months, compared to 3 months previously. Employees can also make 2 statutory requests for flexible working in any 12-month period, as opposed to one previously.
Carers Leave Act 2023:
The act makes provision for unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities. This leave is a day-one right. It applies to anyone caring for a spouse, civil partner, child, parent or other dependant who needs care because of a disability, old age or any illness or injury likely to require at least 3 months’ care. This leave is unpaid with a maximum duration of one week per year. Whilst employers can’t deny a request, they can postpone it if they reasonably consider that the operation of the business would be unduly disrupted if it were approved.
