A regular feature of our Up to date briefing is to keep you appraised of open consultations, calls for evidence and surveys affecting the employment law arena. If you would like us to respond on your behalf, please let us know.

We set out below details and links to the consultations, calls for evidence and survey documents which may be of interest to in-house employment lawyers and HR professionals.

Open consultations / calls for evidence / surveys

Consultation on National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage (Low Pay Commission)

The consultation seeks evidence to inform the Low Pay Commission's report on the future of the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage rates. This consultation is said to be relevant to organisations and individuals affected by the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage rates, in particular, employers of low-paid workers, particularly those in lower-paying sectors such as retail, hospitality, social care, cleaning and hairdressing.

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Closure date: 29 July 2016

Call for evidence on non-compete restrictions (BIS)

On 24 April 2016 the Government announced a plan to launch a call for evidence asking for views on non-compete restrictions in employment contracts. The Government's concern is that such restrictions can hinder start-ups from hiring the best talent and so it is seeking views from individuals and employers on whether this type of practice acts as a barrier to innovation and employment. The Call for evidence was published on 25 May 2016.

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Closure date: 19 July 2016

Consultation on employee share schemes: NIC elections (HMRC)

The consultation seeks views on whether companies with non tax-advantaged share schemes require the continued availability of a National Insurance Contribution election. The consultation is said to be particularly relevant for accounting and legal advisers of companies which offer non tax-advantaged share schemes, particularly multinational companies with UK employees.

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Closure date: 13 July 2016

Consultation on tips, gratuities, cover and service charges (BIS)

The consultation seeks views on proposals to ensure the treatment of tips, gratuities, cover and service charges is fair and transparent.

The proposals for discretionary payments for service are based around 3 broad policy objectives:

• It must be clear to consumers that they are voluntary.
• The payments should be received by workers.

It must be clear and transparent to consumers and workers in terms of how the payments are treated.

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Closure date: 27 June 2016

Recently closed consultation / calls for evidence / surveys

Public consultation on an employer's obligation to inform employees of the conditions applicable to the contract or employment relationship (the so-called "Written Statement Directive") (European Commission)

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Closure date: 20 April 2016

Consultation on guidelines for reporting non-financial information (European Commission)

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Closure date: 15 April 2016

Call for evidence on closed recruitment practices within the public sector (BIS)

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Closure date: 15 April 2016

Consultation on buy-outs of variable remuneration (PRA)

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Closure date: 13 April 2016

Public consultation on the review of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (European Commission)

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Closure date: 18 March 2016

Consultation on draft gender pay gap reporting regulations (GEO)

Closure date: 11 March 2016

Consultation on public sector apprenticeship targets (BIS)

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Closure date: 4 March 2016