Farmers are being reminded that there are just six months to go until new legislation comes into force that requires all workers to be provided with itemised payslips.

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From April 6, 2019, all workers – including casual and zero hours workers rather than just employees - must be issued with written, printed, or electronic payslips, with details of how the payment was calculated in cases where the rate of pay and hours are variable.

Alternatively, if more relevant, the different payments for varying types of work and/or pay should be itemised instead.

Lindsey Knowles, head of employment law and partner at Kirwans law firm said the changes had been introduced to make it easier for workers to understand their pay, ensure they are being paid correctly, and challenge their employers if they feel they have been underpaid.

She said: “Following the recommendations of both the Taylor Review and the Low Pay Commission’s 2016 report, from April 6, 2019, employers must provide all workers with a payslip that clearly states the number of hours they are being paid for.

“The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Itemised Pay Statement) (Amendment) Order 2018 will change the requirement of what information is given on an itemised payslip and is an attempt to improve transparency around pay, especially in cases where workers work varied hours or in various roles which involve differing rates of pay.

“Once it comes into force, payslips must include both the information mentioned above, and that set out in Section 8 of the ERA 1996, including earnings before and after any deductions, the amount of any deductions that may change each payment period such as tax and National Insurance, an explanation of any fixed amount deductions and the net wages to be paid.

“The second Order to be amended is The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Itemised Pay Statement) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2018, which will require employers to provide all workers – not just employees – with written itemised payslips.”

Colleague David Kirwan, agricultural solicitor, said farmers need to act now in order to ensure they’re ready by the deadline.

He said: “Farmers need to understand the changes and how to implement them well in advance of April 6 next year so that both they and their worker can be assured of a smooth transition.

"Payroll processes should be revised as soon as possible to ensure additional information can be gathered together and published in the payslip. "It is also important to amend the format of the payslip itself so that the new information can be included ahead of the implementation deadline."