News

April 2008

Minimum Wage Rise

On 5 March the government announced that the annual increase in the minimum wage, to take effect 1 October 2008,...
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SMP and SSP Increase

From 6th April 2008, SMP increases to £117.18pw (from £112.75), and SSP increases to £75.40pw...
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March 2008

Immigrant Workers

Immigrant Workers - changes from 29th Feb 2008

Radical changes are being introduced into all aspects...
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February 2008

Legislation

1 Feb 2008 Employment Rights (Increase of Limits Order 2007). This increases the limits...
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Acas Redundancy Booklet

This booklet is intended to provide impartial guidance for anyone dealing with or affected by the process of...
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We're Moving!

Our new address is:
Unit 60, Airport Business Centre
10 Thornbury Road
Estover
Plymouth ...
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A Little Distraction

A new test may be just what you need for recruitment. Psychologists have devised a computer based assessment...
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Virtual HR Support

Businesses often need help with human resources, even those with an HR manager or access to Hardwick HR's expertise....
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NI Benefit Increases April 2008

The annual draft order increasing social security benefits confirms proposals to increase the standard rate...
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Employment Contracts - an investment

When you've taken the decision to find a new member of staff, you want the process of recruitment and induction...
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Just Teasing

There is a fine dividing line between good natured teasing and harassment. And everyone will draw it in...
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Salary Sacrificing

In order to attract and retain the beat staff many organisations are considering different reward packages. ...
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Rise in Employment Tribunal Awards

The current maximum weekly pay that employment tribunals can take into account for various awards will rise...
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The Cost of Holidays

It has been estimated that the increase in holiday entitlement that came into force in October 2007 will increase...
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Wage Rates

VocaLink, market leader in electronic payments, reported that UK take home pay increased 3.4% in October, slightly...
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Your Worries

A recent survey of 200 line managers revealed their top five worries at Christmas:

1. too many sick/duvet...
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Scary Statistics

The Federation of Small Businesses found that 78% of small business owners and entrepreneurs have no help when...
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September 2007

Legislation

Weekly working time limits for doctors in training reduced to 56 hours, 1 August 2007.
The...
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Bank and Fixed Term Contracts

Following recent enquiries regarding zero hours, bank and fixed term contracts, here is a mini guide to both...
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Size Doesn't Matter!

HR issues affect us all. Micro business or multi-national, your employees are your most important resource. ...
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Smoking Out Trouble

The introduction of the smoking ban may cause difficulties for employers, who can no longer allow employees...
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Skill Shortages

Research by Archer Mathieson and HSBC reveals that senior business professionals in a variety of industry sectors,...
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Training for Success

Small businesses are not offering training to their staff even though increasing skills will make them more...
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Skills Pledge Review

In December 2006 Lord Sandy Leitch recommended to the government that by 2010 all employers should sign a pledge...
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Just a suggestion

Suggestion schemes can produce impressive results according to a survey by the not for profit organisation,...
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Summer of Red Tape

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has highlighted the new legislation that comes into force in 2007, and the...
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Resolving Disputes

The 3 step statutory dispute resolution procedure introduced three years ago has, contrary to intentions, increased...
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Consultation on Paternity Leave and Pay

The government proposes that fathers would be allowed to take some of the mother's statutory maternity leave...
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Sacking Poor Performers

A survey by Personnel Today produced an estimate of £30m a year wasted by UK employers on under-performing...
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What's the Difference?

In the first case of its kind, the EAT has ruled on whether the job offered to a teacher on her return from...
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April 2007

Are you a Model Employer?

Acas has developed a useful tool that all those who manage people may want to look at. It can be found at:
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Fraudulent CVs

The Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance Scheme (CIFAS) estimates that employee CV fraud costs the UK £40m...
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Lack of Flexible Working Wastes Talent

An EOC report reveals that a lack of flexible working opportunities is driving workers into jobs below their...
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Paying for Experience

A European Court of Justice (ECJ) has held that it is not necessary for an employer to objectively justify unequal...
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Pay Rise Forecasts

Inflationary pressures are expected to influence the level of pay rises in 2007. According to Industrial...
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Developing Teams

Managing a business raises the key issue of team building to improve motivation, performance and continued development. ...
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Mobile Phones

The new legislation increasing penalties for a driver using a hand held mobile phone also allows employers to...
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A Bargain from Hardwick HR!

Research shows that the average rate for an interim HR manager is now £521 per day, up 2% from last year. ...
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Maternity Regulations - Are You Ready?

Do you know how to manage pregnant staff under the new maternity regulations affecting mothers of babies due...
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Keeping up with Legislation

April sees the introduction of the new maternity and adoption leave rights, and an extension of the flexible...
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ET Nightmare

Employment Tribunal - the worst case ever?
The case Mr Khan brought against Kirklees Borough Council for...
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February 2007

Directors' Responsibilities

The Companies Act 2006, which received Royal Assent on 8 November 2006 will be fully enforced by October...
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Increased Statutory Holiday Entitlement

In response to an initial consultation, the Government announced an increase in the current statutory minimum...
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Workplace Smoking Ban

From 1 July 2007 workplaces and nearly all enclosed public spaces in England will have to be smoke free, under...
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Compensation Award Increases

Annual increases in limits to awards by employment tribunals for 'appropriate dates' after 1 February 2007 have...
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Bullying in the Workplace

Dignity at Work research, for trade union Amicus in partnership with DTI, found that although 80% of employers...
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Pay Rises in 2007

Pay specialists predict that many employees are likely to receive generous wage settlements this year. ...
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Age Regulations and Pension Schemes

The Amendment to the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations that came into force on 1 December 2006 amends and...
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Employee References

In the current 'compensation culture' employers are becoming more reluctant to offer references about employees'...
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Eqaulity e-learning tool

Equality and Diversity
It has been predicted that by 2013 only 20% of the workforce will be white, able-bodied...
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November 2006

Changing Laws and Attitudes

With all the legislative changes that have taken place in October, employment is high on the priority list for...
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Work / Life Balance

In a society that expects 24/7 availability of services and entertainment, many people are juggling home and...
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Long hours culture - 'Presenteeism'

Research by the Chartered Management Institute (CHI) has found that 63% of managers do not take their full holiday...
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Is Family Friendly Discriminatory?

With parents making up around 40% of employees, it may be considered best practice to offer first refusal for...
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EU ruling on breaks

After bringing a case against the UK Government an EU ruling has said that said that DTI guidelines do not ensure...
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Age Discrimination

The Rules
The Age discrimination legislation, in effect from 1st October 2006, covers...
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