CIPP Payroll: need to know 2019-20

BACS 2020 processing calendar available to download 23 October 2019

BACS.co.uk, part of Pay.UK has published the BACS 2020 processing calendar for individuals to download to assist them in scheduling payments for the calendar year 2020. BACS payments currently take three working days to clear and appear as available funds in nominated bank accounts so the calendar is crucial in preparing for this. The calendar identifies processing dates, which is particularly important during periods where pay dates are affected by weekends or bank holidays, so payroll teams may want to place specific focus on holiday periods, such as Easter and Christmas. The schedule can be downloaded in PDF format and contains an additional sheet that provides important information surrounding the processing of BACS. The advice given is to ensure that any payroll and payment software registers BACS non-processing days. It is also recommended that all staff affected by and involved in the processing of BACS are issued with a copy of the schedule so that they are aware of the key dates to be observed. The guidance also highlights how payments can be submitted up to 30 days in advance of the processing date (the working day prior to payment date). If this option is not available then the recommendation is to submit the payment as early as possible on input day.

The BACS 2019 processing calendar is also available should guidance for payments due in the current calendar year be required.

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Statistics highlight that three quarters of mothers were in work from April – June 2019 28 October 2019

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has released figures that pertain to the employment rates of parents, both male and female, in the UK.

75.1% of mothers with dependent children worked in the period of April – June 2019 with 92.6% of fathers working over the same period. There has been a significant uplift to the portion of working mothers since 2000 when only 66% were in employment. Since the turn of the century, there has been a shift in trends, as the rate of mothers who are employed is now higher than the rate of women without children who are working. Consistently, throughout this period, men with dependent children have had higher rates of employment than those without. There are some figures that adhere to the suggestion that women still take more responsibility for childcare than men with three in ten mothers confirming that they had to reduce their working hours to account for childcare, as opposed to one in 20 fathers. This implies that there is still substantial work to be conducted to ensure that there are no gender stereotypes attached to who should be the predominant caregiver for children.

CIPP comment

The figures reflect a positive change over the past few years and suggest that the number of stay-at-home mothers, which is thought to contribute to the gender pay gap, is diminishing. It does, however, also imply that women are more likely to adapt their working life to accommodate looking after their children. The CIPP is conducting a survey surrounding alignment of Parental Leave and Pay for men and women, which will inform our response to proposed policies. The survey will run until 22 November 2019 and this is the perfect opportunity to help to mould how parental pay and leave is handled.

The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals

Payroll: need to know

cipp.org.uk

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