Every three months we update you with some of the key developments in employment law and practice affecting the Northern Ireland workplace in that quarter.

You’ll find many more learning points on our Northern Ireland Employment Law Hub but, if you don’t have time to research every item, here are a few useful pearls of wisdom from quarter 1 of 2021 - click on the links below to further your knowledge:

The Supreme Court has issued decisions in the Uber employment status case, in the Mencap ‘sleep in’ case and the Asda equal pay cases. The UK Supreme Court has also ruled that many small employers should receive compensation under their insurance policies for losses as a result of closure because of Covid-19 restrictions.

In Data Protection news, the use of Artificial Intelligence in HR decision making has greatly increased and the ICO has written a very handy article outlining six things to consider when using algorithms for employment decisions. 

We have a 4-step guide from JD Supra to help you get to grips with preparation for IR35.

Increases in the National Minimum Wage rates have been announced along the annual increase of limits order increasing (amongst other things) the value of a week’s pay for the purposes of redundancy pay etc from £560 - £566.  SSP/SMP/SAP and other statutory rates have also increased as have the Vento bands.

An eye health charity is recommending people learn the "20-20-20" rule to protect their sight, as lockdown has increased people's time using screens.

The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service has published a modernisation vision statement and new Presidential Guidance on pension loss has been issued.

Employers may wish to re-emphasise the importance of adherence to safe driving policies as increased penalties for divers using their mobile phones are introduced.

The government is scrapping a cap of £95,000 on GB public sector redundancy payments, after court action by trade unions. 

We’ve got a helpful chart from the Institute for Government which sets out the key dates and actions for the UK's relationship with the EU post-Brexit commencing in March 2021.

Legally qualified readers may be interested to know that a comprehensive new 2021 edition of the Equal Treatment Bench Book (ETBB) has been released.

In Equality news, firms in GB will have another six months to report on their gender pay gap before action is taken against them;  Mr Potato Head is to lose his 'Mr' title.

Finally, Legal Island is delighted to welcome Northern Ireland's leading recruitment specialists VANRATH as the new sponsor of the Northern Ireland Employment Law Hub

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