New legislation to force farmers to provide itemised payslips

Farmers are just six months away from the new payslip deadline
Farmers are just six months away from the new payslip deadline

New legislation which will force farmers to provide itemised payslips to workers comes into force in just under six months.

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.

The changes have 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.

Farmers are now being reminded the changes will come into force in just six months time.

Lindsey Knowles, head of employment law and partner at Kirwans law firm, said it 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.

David Kirwan, agricultural solicitor at the firm, 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."