On the 1st of April the national minimum wage rates will change:-

• National Living Wage £8.91
• 21-22 Year Old Rate £8.36
• 18-20 Year Old Rate £6.56
• 16-17 Year Old Rate £4.62
• Apprentice Rate £4.30
• Accommodation Offset £8.36

Furlough has been extended again until 20th September. Government contributes 80% until 30th June, From July Govt contributes 70% and employers 10%. In Aug & Sep Gov pays 60% and employers 20%.

Tribunals are starting to see the first Covid-19 cases coming through however the tribunal system was crumbling under the strain pre Covid and there is an enormous backlog combined with an 18% uplift in new claims means cases are likely to be waiting in excess of two years to be heard. Unfortunately for the employer the normal time limit of three months minusone day after the date of dismissal or date when a notice period ran out deadline for bringing a claim cant be relied upon as many claims are sat waiting to be processed.
When was the last time you checked your first aider to number of employees ratio? Ensure your first aiders get mental health first aid training because its equally important and is a major contributor to absence.
Random Acts of Kindness Day has gone but kindness does not need to stop there. The science of kindness shows that acts of kindness produce endorphins – the brains natural pain killer. Kind people have 23% less cortisol (stress hormone) & they age slower. Kindness decreases anxiety, blood pressure and depression. Each month we are going to throw out a challenge. Aprils is….