Landscapers urged to check pensions for summer staff

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is urging landscapers and other employers of seasonal workers to check their pension obligations as new recruitment peaks.

Pension duties still apply even if employers are just hiring for a few weeks, the regulator says, with an assessment needed for each worker every time they are paid.

TPR acknowledge that the vast majority of employers are meeting their obligations but has recovered £700 million in missing contributions since 2012.

Joey Patel, Director of Compliance at TPR, said: 

“Our message to employers in the landscape industry is clear - whether you’re hiring temporary staff for a few days or the whole summer, your legal pension duties still apply.  

“We know the vast majority of employers are doing the right thing for their staff and have helped make AE a fantastic success, with more than 11 million workers enrolled since 2012.

“But we want to make sure no workers are missing out on a pension they are due.

“In sectors, like the food and drink industry, where employers are likely to hire seasonal staff, eligible workers may be at a greater risk of not getting what they are owed.

“If you're not sure of your AE duties, check up on them. Don’t risk a fine.”

Further information

If employing seasonal or temporary staff, you must assess them individually every time you pay them, whether they work for you a few days or several months.

If an employee meets the age and earnings criteria, they are eligible for automatic enrolment from day one.

To support employers, TPR has step by step guidance on how to assess and enrol seasonal or temporary staff.

The regulator also has further guidance if you are employing staff whose hours and pay will vary, as your assessment of who to put into a pension scheme may take more time and effort.

Employers with temporary or seasonal staff can consider using postponement. This means they can choose to delay assessing who to put into a pensions scheme for up to three months.

If you think you may be late in meeting your duties to your temporary staff, you should tell TPR immediately, so that we can provide support to help you comply.

Digital tools

The regulator is promoting its new digital timeline tool, which creates a tailored pension duties timeline for each new employee, setting out what needs to be done and when.

And it has also updated the declaration of compliance website to ease use on a mobile device, meet accessibility needs, and improve the overall user experience.