How much do you know about the forthcoming Good Work Plan changes to the UK employment laws?
The legislation, which goes live on April 6th, 2020, fundamentally alters the way that new hires need to be handled.
It’s something that every HR manager needs to know about but getting clear information on exactly what’s changing and how to prepare is easier said than done.
The Good Work Plan amendments cover a complex range of different employment laws with the legislation having constantly been updated and revised.
That’s why Webonboarding has put together an expert report which provides you with all of the knowledge and guidance you need to handle the forthcoming changes.
The Good Work Plan 2020 report covers:
Why is employment law changing?
To understand the Good Work Plan, it’s important to understand some of the background. The changes are based on the recommendations of a 2017 report by Matthew Taylor.
He was commissioned by the government to carry out an independent review of modern working practices. The overall aim was to update the law so that it’s in sync with today’s employment environment.
What impact does it have on onboarding?
What’s required of employers when new hires are brought into an organisation is being revised. From April 6, 2020, all new hires need to be provided with ‘written particulars’ on or before their first day.
The current legislation provides a two-month period within which this contractual paperwork can be completed.
What is meant by ‘written particulars’?
This means providing a new starter with all the basic contractual information they need before starting working.
This includes the details normally contained within a contract or offer letter, such as job description, salary, remuneration packages and holiday agreements.
But the legislation also outlines some areas that may not be covered. This includes providing information on the location of working tasks and details of the grievance procedures that are in place. The report provides a full list of exactly what’s covered by ‘written particulars’.
Does this include agency workers?
The legislation does include agency workers but the requirements are different. These need to be provided with a ‘Key Facts Page’.
This is a single document that provides information such as the type of contract, the rate of pay they can expect and the form of their payment. The exact requirements are contained in the report.
What happens if you breach the legislation?
Amongst the changes introduced is a toughening of the penalties for non-compliance with potential fines increasing from £5,000 to £20,000.
How do you make sure onboarding is compliant?
The guide looks at how the changes require HR managers to rethink their approach to onboarding. The traditional paper-based ways of handling new hires make it difficult to meet the new requirements.
The 2019 ‘Welcome Aboard’ survey, commissioned by Webonboarding, found that 71% of UK employees say onboarding paperwork was not completed prior to them starting their job.
How can Webonboarding help with the Good Work Plan?
The report looks at how switching to a paperless onboarding process can help HR to meet all the requirements of the new legislation.
Webonboarding uses digital signing to remove the need for paper contracts and offer letters to be signed by the successful candidates.
Everything they need is provided via an online portal. A personal dashboard allows them to instantly check, amend and sign documents.
The report concludes:
“In short, this is about problem-solving. The new legislation will necessitate for many a change in the way they work, regardless of whether the information required is readily available or not.
“But there are numerous benefits to reap should those changes in the Good Work Plan be smartly navigated, and the ideal route is a tool that not only eases the burden but frees an organisation to become better, more streamlined and potentially more profitable as a result.”
You can access the full report, “Good Work Plan: How to prepare for the latest onboarding legislation” here:
