Issue 33 – December 2023
Seasons greetings and welcome to the final edition of the Fast Forward Newsletter for the year! There have been significant developments in the programme in the past 12 months and we express our gratitude for your dedication to fostering collaborative change.
Please note the Fast Forward team will be on leave between Friday 22 December and Tuesday 2 January. Wishing you a joyful festive season, and we look forward to our continued collaboration in the upcoming year!
This month’s clickable highlights:
Fast Forward News
- New Webinar Date: Implementation of new Control Point 3.5 on diversity and inclusion focusing on neurodiversity | 16 January, 10am | Secure your free space – a great way to start your new year!
- SEP Supplier Training
Industry and Legislative News
- Employee National Insurance to be cut to from 12% to 10% from 6 January 2024
- Rolled up holiday pay for part-time and irregular workers – updates from January
- EU Council and Parliament strike deal to protect environment and human rights
We want to hear from you! Share your feedback and requests for inclusions in this publication or any other part of the programme. Contact us today!
The Fast Forward Team
FAST FORWARD NEWS
January webinar: Implementation of new Control Point 3.5 on diversity and inclusion, focusing on neurodiversity
Notice: Rescheduled webinar to Tuesday 16 January, 10am
In today’s business landscape, prioritising diversity and inclusion is vital for success. Find out why and learn how to implement the new control point 3.5: Demonstrate proactive steps to promote diversity and inclusion and to prevent and manage conflict due to cultural differences.
In addition, we’ll delve into accommodating diverse needs, with a spotlight on neurodiversity, and equip your organisation to respond effectively to unique employee requirements.
Key topics:
- How to prevent and manage conflict due to cultural differences.
- Understanding the benefits of a diverse workplace and building awareness, with a spotlight on neurodiversity.
- Developing inclusive recruitment and onboarding processes.
- Legal considerations and implementing reasonable accommodations.
- Nurturing a culture of open communication and mutual support.
- Practical insights that you can apply in your organisation.
What a great way to start your new year by gaining valuable insights and tools to foster an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued!
Book your free place here!
Supplier (SEP) Training Sessions
The Supplier Engagement Programme (SEP) training sessions are now available to book through your Dashboard. This presents a valuable opportunity for both brands and suppliers to enhance their skills and maximise the benefits of our programme.
During these 2.5-hour training sessions, your business can gain essential insights on how to effectively navigate your dedicated dashboard and self-paced Core Standards training modules, ensuring you remain well-informed about the latest standards and industry practices.
Our training sessions are open to both SEP subscribers and Brand members.
At the conclusion of each session, we offer dedicated breakout sessions for suppliers and brands separately. This provides a unique space for peer-to-peer discussions, allowing you to address questions, overcome challenges, and explore opportunities within your business and supply chain. To explore the full agenda of this training session, click here.
LEGISLATIVE AND INDUSTRY NEWS
Employee National Insurance to be cut from 12% to 10%
from 6 January 2024
National insurance contributions paid by workers in the UK will be cut from 12% to 10% with effect from 6 January 2024, which is said will benefit 27 million people. The Treasury said as an example that a typical full-time nurse on £38,900 would receive an annual gain of more than £520, while working families with two earners on the average income would gain £900.
Changes were also announced to the national insurance paid by self-employed individuals.
Read more
Rolled up holiday pay for part-time and irregular workers –
updates from January
Rolled-up holiday pay for part-time, irregular and agency workers will be allowed from January 2024, according to draft legislation expected to come into force in the New Year. Rolled-up holiday pay is where employers pay workers a sum in addition to their normal hourly rate of pay to represent their holiday pay entitlement. The new legislation will calculate holiday pay entitlement for such workers as 12.07 per cent of the hours worked in a pay period.
This legislation is seeking to overcome confusion that arose from the Supreme Court’s decision in the Harpur Trust v Brazel case last year.
In the government’s consultation, 436 respondents (45 per cent) said they did not support rolled-up holiday pay, as they suggested it could lead to missed leave or reduced pay.
EU Council and Parliament strike deal to protect environment and human rights
Last week the European Council and Parliament struck a deal to protect environment and human rights. Read the press release here
To assist businesses in navigating this evolving legislative landscape, Stronger Together is launching a new workshop: ‘Effective Human Rights Due Diligence in Supply Chains’
✔ It will set out the key requirements of the current and upcoming legislation and international frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines and, key to what we specialise in at Stronger Together, this workshop will break these requirements into practical steps.
Just Good Work
Just Good Work is a free, interactive mobile app giving jobseekers and workers from the UK or abroad critical information and advice on recruitment and employment. The Fast Forward audit requires businesses to display the Just Good Work poster.
Posters are available to download for free in nine languages from the Fast Forward website: Albanian, Bulgarian, English, Croatian, Gujarati, Polish, Romanian, Serbian and Ukrainian.
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