Temporary staff and auto-enrolment

Employers must enrol eligible staff in a pension scheme if they are aged 22 to state pension age and earn over £192 per week (£833 per month). Seasonal or temporary staff must also be assessed, but their short employment periods, variable hours, and mid-period starts/leavers must be considered. Employers can use postponement to delay assessment.

Staff working for less than three months

• ·        Employers can either assess staff each payday and enrol them if eligible or use postponement (delay up to three months).

• ·        Postponement can only be used within six weeks of meeting age and earnings criteria.

• ·        Employers must inform workers of postponement in writing within six weeks.

• ·        If a worker leaves before the three months, the employer does not need to assess or enrol them.

• ·        Eligible staff can request enrolment during postponement.

Staff working for more than three months

• ·        Employers can assess each payday and enrol if eligible or use postponement.

• ·        Postponement only delays enrolment—it does not remove the obligation.

• ·        Postponement starts from the employment start date or when age and earnings criteria are met.

• ·        At the end of three months, staff must be assessed and enrolled immediately if eligible.

• ·        If not eligible, postponement can be applied again for a further three months.

• ·        Eligible staff can request enrolment during postponement.