On 31 July, local authorities will be writing to local businesses offering them the option to spread payment of this year’s inflation up-rating to business rates over three years, under new legislation announced by the government in March. Business rates are adjusted every April in line with the Retail Prices Index for the previous September. The new measure is designed to smooth the effects of the spike in inflation of 5 per cent in September, [...]

DWP – 24/08/2009 The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the extension of a scheme to help people with fluctuating mental health problems keep their jobs. Pilots of the scheme which is run in conjunction with mental health charity Mind have already shown a 90% success rate in helping sufferers to stay in work. The DWP also plans to publish a National Strategy for Mental Health and Employment, which will include expectations of employers, [...]

The National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2009 were made on 15th July.  They confirm previously announced increases in the NMW from 1st October 2009 and also amend the main regulations to ensure that tips (eg in restaurants) can no longer count towards the minimum wage as was previously sometimes possible. The main changes are as follows: the adult National Minimum Wage (for those aged 22 or more) increases from £5.73 per hour to £5.80; for 18-21 year olds the NMW increases [...]

UKBA – 03/08/2009 The UK Border Agency has launched a consultation on plans to introduce elements of ‘earned citizenship’. This will enable immigrants wanting to stay permanently to earn points through activities like working, paying taxes, voluntary work and learning English. Points can also be deducted for law breaking and anti-social behaviour. This consultation document seeks views on: introducing a new points test for earned citizenship, to better manage the numbers allowed to settle permanently [...]

BBC – 13/08/2009 A woman who was made to work in a shop’s stockroom because her prosthetic arm did not fit with the company’s image, has won her claim for harassment. Riam Dean told the Central London employment tribunal that a manager at the Abercrombie and Fitch store in London’s Saville Row had originally given permission to wear a cardigan to cover her false arm. However, she was later told this did not fit with [...]

The word ‘contract’ incites numerous connotations of intimidating language, incomprehensible terms, and expensive fees. Unfortunately, this results in so many small businesses not using a written contract and thus leaving themselves open to disaster. Ensuring a well drawn contract is in place does not create mistrust nor does it have to be expensive, time consuming or complicated. Simply, it is the basis for trust. If all the terms are written down in one place, there [...]

The merger of big business retailer Amazon and independent Zappo’s .com was a shock to many people including the staff of Zappo’s.com. So in the midst of all this shock was can your business learn from this $487 million dollar merger? 1. Discuss change and how it will affect your company openly with the people who will have to survive that change. Sometimes mergers don’t allow full disclosure due to proprietary information, but if you [...]

31 Jul 09 – Copyright the JournalOnline.co.uk The Purdy appeal decision may help bring reform, but does not require legal change The confirmation by the House of Lords that article 8(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights – right to respect for private and family life – may be engaged in the final moments of life, will certainly add fuel to the debate over assisted dying. The Lords allowed Debbie Purdy’s appeal and agreed [...]

Under the law employers are responsible for health and safety management. Here we outline how the law applies to you, the employer. Employees and the self employed have important responsibilities too. It is an employer’s duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees, and other people who might be affected by their business. You must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this. This means making sure that you and others are [...]