The National Minimum Wage rate will increase from 01 October 2013.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) have launched free downloadable templates and information for Human Resources (HR) management.

HMRC have now extended the deadline to 05 October 2013 for Pay as You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI) for businesses employing 50 staff or less.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Acas have come together to produce a joint publication 'Mediation - An Approach to Resolving Workplace Issues' for organisations considering the use of mediation in people management. 

Do you employ staff?  From 06 April 2013, most employers will be required to send Pay as You Earn (PAYE) information to HMRC in real time. Are you ready?

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced this years changes to Statutory Pay rates which will see increases to Statutory Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay, Maternity Allowance and Statutory Sick Pay coming into effect in April (subject to Parliamentary approval).

ACAS have recently published guidance for employers to help them draw up a policy that covers the use of personal devices (such as smart phones and tablets) by employees at work. Such policies are often termed 'bring your own device' policies or BYOD.

A new living wage level of £7.45 per hour has been announced by the Scottish Living Wage Campaign and Living Wage Foundation.

The Health and Safety Executive has released a new and comprehensive online  'Health and Safety Toolbox' which will be useful not just for small businesses but also voluntary sector organisations that have premises and /or staff.  

The UK Government has launched a new website amalgamating information previously held seperately on each of the Direct.gov and Business Link websites. Gov.uk is particularly useful as a reference point for community groups that are already employing paid staff - or considering doing so.

Launched last month to replace the Equalities and Human Rights Commission helpline, the new Equality Advisory Support Service offers assistance to individuals who need advice and support on discrimination issues. 

October sees increases in the national minimum wage and changes to employer requirements regarding pensions. 

The Government Equalities Office has published guidance for service providers and their customers to help them prepare and understand the new ban on age discrimination that comes into force on 1st October 2012.

Acas and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have developed short good practice guidance to help employers deal effectively and fairly with pregnancy and maternity when one of their staff is facing redundancy.

The Scottish Government has launched a new national child protection website.

ACAS, the workplace relations experts, have launched new guidance to help managers have difficult conversations in the workplace.