Crystal Blog

Understanding whether a worker is employed or self-employed is a crucial task for businesses in the UK. Misclassifying a worker can lead to significant penalties from HMRC, along with back payments and potential legal action. The HMRC tool for checking if someone is employed or self-employed provides an easy way to clarify a worker’s status. […]

Auto enrolment remains a vital aspect of the UK’s workplace pension system, and with the changes introduced in 2024, it’s essential for employers to stay compliant. Whether you’re managing a large or small business, this guide walks you through the key updates, the benefits of payroll integration, and how to streamline your processes. What’s New […]

Introduction As your company grows, it’s essential to stay competitive with benefit packages while maintaining cost efficiencies. At Crystal, we wanted to dive into this in more detail and give you some practical ideas and tips for using salary sacrifice schemes, which offer a great opportunity to achieve both goals. With these schemes, you can […]

The 2024 National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) changes took effect on 1 April 2024. For employers managing large or complex workforces, ensuring compliance is critical to avoid penalties and maintain smooth payroll operations. This article outlines the current NMW rates and offers key compliance strategies, helping you stay on the right […]

Introduction UK apprenticeships and traineeships offer significant benefits for both businesses and individuals. These programs provide structured pathways to develop skills, gain qualifications, and prepare for long-term career success. For employers, apprenticeships allow you to train new talent to fit your business needs, while aspiring apprentices benefit from earning while learning. In 2023 and 2024, […]

Employers and employees are always asking us how much someone's pension contributions will be for a certain amount of salary so we wanted to create a simple calculator that will give you those figures. Our Free Pension Contribution Calculator gives you those answers for various pay frequencies. This tool is designed to help both employers […]

Introducing The Ultimate Guide to UK Statutory Payments in 2024 Understanding your rights as an employee is crucial, especially when it comes to statutory payments. These payments are government-mandated and designed to provide financial support during significant life events, such as illness, maternity, paternity, adoption, or bereavement. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need […]

Introduction Cycling to work is a lifestyle change that can improve your well-being, save you money and help protect the environment. With the Cycle to Work Scheme and cycling trends, now is the perfect time to start cycling. Personal Stories: Real-Life Stories Through Cycling to Work Sarah, a marketing executive, swapped her car for a […]

Are you aware of Labour's planned changes to employee rights? The new Labour government has introduced several reforms designed to improve workers' rights. These changes aim to ensure fair treatment, job security, and better pay for all employees. Here's what you need to know about Labour's planned changes to employee rights and how they could […]

What exactly is the National Living Wage, and how does it affect you? If you're over 23 and working in the UK, it's the minimum hourly wage you're entitled to. Read on to understand why it's important. FAQ Q: What is the current rate?A: As of April 2024, the NLW rate is £11.44 per hour. […]

Auto-enrolment is a crucial aspect of workplace pensions, requiring employers to automatically enroll employees into pension schemes. Non-compliance with these duties can result in fines. This short article guides you with what to do if you receive an auto-enrolment fine and how to appeal a Pension Regulator Fine. FAQ Q1: What are auto-enrolment fines? Auto-enrolment […]

Are you looking for ways to maximize your retirement savings while reducing your tax bill? How to save on taxes with salary sacrifice pensions: your ultimate guide to boosting your retirement fund and enjoying tax savings. This comprehensive guide will explain how salary sacrifice pensions work, the benefits they offer, and how you can make […]