3 ways your GP Practice can start preparing for auto enrolment today

Over the last few months, you may have seen the “We’re all in” adverts on television, promoting the benefits of auto enrolment which are helping to communicate the changes to employers and workers alike.

Auto enrolment, as part of the government’s Workplace Pension Reforms (WPR), will affect every employer in the UK. Regardless of whether your current workforce comprises of eligible employees or not, ensuring your compliance in advance of any potential personnel changes, for example taking on any new staff members, is vital to safeguard your practice against any penalties for non-compliance.

IRIS has worked with GP Practices for over a decade, understanding the pressures of the industry and current NHS policies that they must abide by. This makes us uniquely positioned to offer payroll support, software solutions and education to the GP industry all over the UK. 

In the case of the GP industry, our experience here at IRIS has revealed that many of GP Payroll users, are struggling to understand this complex legislation and prepare their practice adequately for the introduction of auto enrolment. Your practice will still have to assess and communicate to employees regarding their pension status whether they are in the NHS scheme, contractual or an alternative auto enrolment compliance pension scheme.

3 ways your GP Practice can start preparing for auto enrolment today

1. Find out when your staging date is and understand your roles and responsibilities 
2. Educate your staff so you fully understand how the legislation impacts your practice
3. Select an alternative auto enrolment pension scheme (the NHS pension scheme is not suitable for all employees therefore you will need an legislatively compliant alternative)

There are many ways you can take steps to overcome your auto enrolment challenges. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) website has lots of information available.

IRIS offer “Understanding Automatic Enrolment” courses, which cover the legislation surrounding automatic enrolment and what impact these changes will have your payroll and your practice. You can access these courses in a variety of ways so your practice can choose the style that suits your needs.

Download the latest guide "Nine auto enrolment responsibilities for employers" 

Thinking about outsourcing your payroll? Find out more here