Our monthly employment law round up.

SSP Rebate Scheme to close on 17 March

The statutory sick pay (SSP) rebate scheme is to close meaning employers will not be able to claim back SSP for any employees' coronavirus related absences or self-isolation that occur after 17 March 2022. Claims for any absences up to that date, or amendments to claims that have already been made, must be submitted by 24 March 2022. Thereafter, normal SSP rules will apply, with SSP only being payable from the fourth qualifying day of absence.

IR35 "soft landing" to end in April 2022

Although IR35 was extended to the private sector in April 2021, HMRC promised a 12 month "soft landing" during which they would not impose penalties for businesses who made genuine mistakes. That period will end in April 2022, although HMRC has confirmed that some compliance checks are already underway. Public sector employers, including government departments, have faced huge tax bills as a consequence of falling foul of IR35 rules. Defra was faced with a bill of 48 million (excluding fines) in December 2021 and the DWP had a bill of 87.9million in tax and interest despite having used HMRC's check employment status for tax tool (CEST). Private sector employers should be reviewing their adherence to the new rules to avoid similar fines or tax bills.

Women and Equalities Committee recommend mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting

Following in the footsteps of many businesses, consumer groups and trade unions, the House of...

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