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February 2012
Putting lawyers in touch with the youth of Oldham
Pearson Hinchliffe partner, Michael Pitt, takes over as 2012 Oldham Law Association President.
MoreMinimum Wage can’t include tips, says HMRC
1st August 2008
In plans announced by the Government on the anniversary of Minimum Wage legislation, regulations will be amended so that customer tips in bars and restaurants will no longer be counted towards payment of the National Minimum Wage.
The changes are aimed at stopping the controversial practice of employers using tips and service charges to top up workers' wages to make sure they comply with the statutory adult rate of £5.52 an hour.
Business Secretary John Hutton said: "Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK have jobs in sectors where tipping is commonplace. When people leave a tip, in a restaurant or elsewhere, they expect it to go to service staff and as consumers, we've got a right to know if that actually happens.
"This is an issue of fairness and common sense and it's one many people clearly care a lot about. Under the current law, all workers are already entitled to receive the minimum wage.
"The changes we're proposing will mean that in the future, tips cannot count towards payment of the minimum wage.
"We also want to encourage employers to make it clear how tips are distributed so that customers know where their money is going and whether or not the establishment operates a fair tipping policy."
The Government and unions have also proposed extending the adult Minimum Wage to 21-year-olds; currently a worker's 22nd birthday triggers entitlement.
A consultation on implementing the Government's recommendations to prevent tips counting towards the Minimum Wage will be launched in the autumn and the regulations, including guidance for both workers and employers, are expected to be changed in 2009.
As part of its Fair Tips campaign, the Unite union intends to display its logo in bars and restaurants across the country as a sign that they pay their staff at least the minimum wage with all tips paid on top.
From 1 October 2007 the minimum wage for workers aged 22 or over was increased to £5.52 an hour, rising to £5.73 an hour from October 2008.
For 18 to 21 year olds it is currently £4.60 an hour, rising to £4.77 an hour from October 2008, and for 16 to 17 year olds it is £3.40 an hour, rising to £3.53 an hour from October 2008.
Click here to speak to a specialist employment lawyer.
January 2012
Company and commercial law reforms to reduce red tape
Companies of all shapes and sizes have been asked for their views on how to tackle unnecessary bureaucracy in company and commercial law.
MoreJanuary 2012
Increase in unfair dismissal qualifying period will apply only to new employees
From 6 April 2012 the qualifying period of service for making a claim increases from one to two years.
MoreJanuary 2012
Maximum compensation for unfair dismissal increases from 1 February 2012
Annual revision of employment tribunal award limits and other amounts payable under employment legislation.
MoreDecember 2011
Health and safety laws to be cut by half
Government plans to slash health and safety red tape will mean substantial savings for small firms, business groups have said.
MoreNovember 2011
Weight Watchers case: the importance to employers of employment status.
The Upper Tier Tribunal holds 1,700 ‘leaders’ at Weight Watchers were employees for tax purposes.
MoreSeptember 2011
How to Conduct a Disciplinary Hearing
A recent presentation by Employment solicitor, Susan Mayall, setting out the stages for handling a disciplinary, referencing the ACAS Code of Conduct.
June 2011
ACAS Advice leaflet “Holidays and Holiday Pay”
Download the guidance covering arrangements for holidays and holiday pay.
October 2010
Recent Case Study: Commercial Landlord and Tenant - An Authorised Guarantee Agreement
Authorised Guarantee Agreements keep the original tenant on the hook in case a third party assignee defaults; they should be drafted with care.
July 2010
Recent Case Study: Doing Battle in the Boardroom
How Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law helped members of the Board of Directors achieve the outcome they sought in their boardroom dispute with a senior executive director.
May 2010
How the Mergers & Acquisitions team helped Lanes Group PLC achieve their LAS sell-off
Drainage specialists dispose £12.3 million majority stake in Lanes Assistance Services.
March 2010
PH Employment Direct
The Employment team at Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law have created PH Employment Direct - a user-friendly and simple service that gives you access to the best advice at the end of a phone 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
February 2010
Oldham Construction Sector
On 3 February 2010 Corporate Commercial partner Roger Hinchliffe delivered a presentation entitled, ‘Joint Ventures’ to the Oldham Construction Sector group.
January 2010
Debt Recovery Service
With our specialist commercial Debt Recovery service you can significantly increase the speed and likelihood of recovering the money owed to your business.