The statutory rates for Sick Pay (SSP), Maternity Pay (SMP), Paternity Pay (SPP) and Adoption Pay (SAP) have been announced for next year.
From April 2006, the lower rate of SMP, the standard rate of maternity allowance (MA) and the rates for SAP and SPP will rise from £106.00 to £108.85 per week. SSP rates will increase from £68.20 to £70.05 per week.
At the same time the earnings threshold for entitlement to these payments will rise from £82.00 to £84.00 per week, except that the Maternity Allowance earnings threshold will remain unchanged at £30.00 per week.

2. New Statutory Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Employment

The updated Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Employment will take legal effect on 6^th April 2006. It replaces the original code of practice issued in 1984.
The code does not have the force of law but this is a moot point as Tribunals must take the code into account if relevant. At its heart are two simple recommendations:

• Employers should have an Equal Opportunities policy covering all areas of employment from recruitment to dismissal.

And

• Employers should draw up an Equal Opportunities action plan to put the policy in place.

It is worth remembering that employers are legally responsible for any unlawful racial discrimination or harassment by their agents, contractors or workers in the course of their employment. In other words, an act of discrimination or harassment by a worker in the course of his or her employment is treated as having been committed by the employer as well as the worker, whether or not the employer knew about it and approved of it.

There will be further information about the Code of Practice in our February Newsletter. In the meantime, if you want to check you are up to date and are taking the right steps towards establishing Equal Opportunities in your Workplace, please call Laura Cerasale on 01494 451 681 or email laura@hradvantage.co.uk

December 2005