If your rural clients have employees, Employment Practices Liability is a must-have cover, and with the reduction of Rural Protect’s premium earlier this year, now is an ideal time to cross-sell from their existing Employer’s Liability cover, as EPL can be added starting from as little as £50+IPT (Insurance Premium Tax).
There have been a lot of HR legislation changes recently, and more is yet to come. Earlier this year, rradar published their ‘6 HR and Employment Changes for 2024: What You Need to Know’ article which alerts us to the recent employment law legislation changes.
If your clients don’t get things right as employers, they could find themselves with frustrated employees 0employment tribunal claim, it could potentially cost the employer as they may face a bill for legal costs and compensation if it doesn’t go in their favour.
That is why prevention is key. We are here to assist your clients before they reach the stage of a tribunal being raised against them. As Rural Protect policyholders, your clients already benefit from a telephone helpline where they can obtain practical advice. This support is also backed up by online articles and templates about HR and employment law, to help guide them in the right direction.
Here is a summary of things your client, as an employer should be aware of and why EPL cover is essential for them:
- Effective 6th April 2024: Flexible Working – the ability to request flexibility is now available to employees from the first day of their employment, and two requests can be made in any rolling 12-month period.
- Effective 6th April 2024: Carer’s Leave – up to 5 days unpaid leave per rolling 12-month period to care for a spouse, partner or other dependent.
- Effective 1st April 2024: Holiday Pay Reforms- changes in entitlement and calculation for irregular and part-year workers.
- Effective 1st July 2024: Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) – both the old and new employers must inform and consult with a recognised trade union or employee representative during a TUPE transfer.
- Effective 18th July 2024: Fire and Rehire – courts and employment tribunals can increase the employees’ compensation by 25% if the employer does not comply with best practices around firing and rehiring.
- Effective 1st October 2024: Fair Allocation of Tips – statutory code comes into force.
- Effective 26th October 2024: Worker Protection Act – a new legal duty for employers to demonstrate that they have effective systems and monitoring in place to protect workers from sexual harassment.
- Effective 1st January 2025: Biometric Residence Permits – will be phased out by 31st December 2024, but should be retained by the holder, even if they expire, to assist with future applications.
- Potentially effective by April 2025: Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act – will be available to employees from the first day of their employment.
Here are some upcoming changes for your clients to consider:
- EU Law Act 2023 – sets out deadlines and a timetable for which EU-derived laws would be retained and incorporated into UK law.
- Potential employment law changes following the new government could affect:
- First day of employment rights
- Reduction/removal of 2-year employment tribunal regulations
- Zero-hour contracts
- Parental leave
- Gender pay gap and EDI reporting
- Redundancy and TUPE
- SSP
- Tax and NI
- Right to disconnect
- Minimum wage in April 2025
In addition to having the protection of EPL, should they breach employment law, clients should also consider keeping an eye out for political announcements and monitoring them closely by finding trusted news sources. Ensure your client’s email address has been provided to us so that they receive rradar’s monthly news bulletin containing important employment law changes as they likely need to create new contracts and new policies or update existing ones, amend internal procedures, provide training to managers and employees, and update their technology/systems.
While EPL is an optional additional cover offered as part of Rural Protect and Rural Protect Elements, with the constantly evolving rules of HR and employment law, it has become increasingly important to consider. We urge you to raise it with your clients who have employees. To learn more about Rural Protect or EPL cover, contact us on 01653 609090 or at enquiries@hbunderwriting.co.uk.
