When conflicts occur in the workplace it is crucial that you manage them swiftly and appropriately. Whether as a result of an argument, a person taking offence on how instructions are given or even personality clashes, an unsettled workforce will bring productivity, and workplace moral, crashing down. Why should employers have mediators? It is crucial to diffuse a situation before it escalates into a more serious matter. Remember, early intervention will save you both time and money. Mediation in the work place can be an…
The European Court of Justice has ruled that employers need to treat employee's commuting time as work time, which will have an impact on every size company in the UK. This will affect sectors with large numbers of travelling workers, and require employers to look at the distance employees travel to clients/work sites. Employers cannot afford to ignore this ruling, as ignorance could cost money. What does this mean for employers? The decision from the European Court of Justice could impact on: Business prospects Job…
Recently, the BBC reported the shocking news that a woman fell into an open lift shaft at a Birmingham Coffee Shop. It will be some time before the events leading up to the accident in Birmingham are known, but reports indicate that the doors, on an upper level, were able to opened without the lift car being in position. While there should be numerous safety features built into modern lifts that should prevent this type of accident, this shows how important it is for businesses…
We live in an age where image is everything. With the advent of social and professional networking sites, it has become more important than ever for candidates to present their best side to potential employers. So how can candidates survive being discriminated against just by the way they look online and how can employers make sure they are getting the right candidates? According to recent LinkedIn research 98% of professionals do not want to see photographs on CVs or Resumes in the UK and USA.…
It’s the biggest change to Health & Safety legislation since the 70s… Now, serious breaches in Health & Safety legislation can lead to bigger fines and heavier prison sentences. With magistrates having much more power to issue heavier fines or even jail sentences, employers are now likely to face much harsher penalties for these breaches. It is vital that employers are aware of the sentencing which follows any prosecution… What has changed? Magistrates have been given the power to use jail sentences in addition to…
Please note, legislation has been updated in regards to holiday calculations since this article was written, effective for holiday years starting on or after 1 April 2024. If you’re a Moorepay client, please contact us if you need guidance. Otherwise, please see this article on the changes for more information. If your employees earn commission for achieving their targets at work, you need to know if you have to factor this into their payroll. Here are the details. Do employers have to pay commission as part…
Here are a few highlights from the budget which might affect your business: The tax-free Personal Allowance is to rise from £10,600 in 2016 to £11,000, and will increase further to £11,500 in April 2017 The threshold that individuals start paying 40p tax will rise from £42,385 to £43,300 in 2016 and up to £45,000 in April 2017 Class 2 National Insurance contributions for the self-employed to be scrapped Petrol duty will be frozen, saving motorists £75 a year and will have been forzen now…
Fire safety experts have called for immediate action from employers in charge of properties to prevent more loss of life. The fire safety guidance for residential care premises has now been updated by the National Association for Safety and Health in Care Services (NASHiCS) and the Chief Fire Officers Association. Many of the points in the new guide are applicable to all employers in charge of properties. The news comes after a series of fires in residential homes caused serious accidents in the UK. The…
Starbucks recently became the subject of media attention when a female employee suffering with dyslexia has won a claim for disability discrimination. The claim rose arose from her employer’s failure to make reasonable adjustments for her dyslexia. But what can employers learn from this? Having been being wrongly accused of falsifying documents, the employee brought proceedings in the Employment Tribunal. She successfully argued that, although she had made mistakes, the employer discriminated against her by failing to take into account that these errors arose from her…
After Harrison Ford broke his leg on set, the latest stage for a Star Wars follow up will be a high court room, with a Disney subsidiary facing charges for four safety breaches. What can businesses learn from this spaceship slip up? “May the 4th be with you” … or in this case, 8 days after the 4th when a high profile 'Star Wars’ Health & Safety court case will take place. Towards the end of 2015, movie fans from all over the UK were…
