5. Be aware of special pension rules that apply to public-sector transfers In outsourcing scenarios involving the public sector, specific government guidance and other rules may apply. For example, a private-sector contractor may be required to participate in the public-sector pension scheme that applied to the employees prior to the transfer.
Zero hours contracts
Zero hours employment contracts: consultation
20 December 2013
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills has published a consultation which seeks further evidence on the problems identified around the use of zero hours contracts.
To address exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts, the government is seeking views on the following options:
Legislating to ban the use of exclusivity clauses in contracts that offer no guarantee of work; Government issuing guidance on the fair use of exclusivity clauses; Encouraging the production of an employer-led Code of Practice on the fair use of exclusivity clauses, with an additional option to seek government sponsorship of that Code; or Rely on existing common law redress which enables individuals to challenge exclusivity clauses.
To improve transparency over zero hours contracts, the government is seeking views on:
Improving the content and accessibility of information, advice and guidance; Encouraging a broader, employer-led Code of Practice which covers the fair use of zero hours contracts generally; and Whether and how government could produce model clauses for zero hours contracts.
This consultation will run for 12 weeks and the closing date for responses is 13 March 2014.
The policy team will be reviewing this consultation and will publish a survey in the New Year if deemed necessary.
CIPP response to zero hours contracts
13 March 2014
The CIPP has today submitted its response to the BIS consultation on zero hours contracts.
There is unanimous agreement that the current guidance does not help individuals challenge exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts, and that more generally, the government should provide clear and straight forward support and guidance to help both businesses and individuals understand their rights and obligations. As members are aware, the actual number of workers on zero hours contracts has been open to debate for many months, with various organisations suggesting numbers much higher than the government’s original estimate. The recently released ONS figures double
CIPP Policy News Journal
08/04/2015, Page 97 of 521
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker