Because running a business gives rise to 1,001 questions here's a database with more than 12,000 answers!
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TIMEKEEPING
I’m just nipping out for five minutes
An employee has sometimes asked if they can “pop out quickly” to run a personal errand. At quiet times you don’t mind. But now they’re just leaving the premises without permission. Why must you stop them doing this?
SEX DISCRIMINATION
Is she (really) up to the job?
A leading law firm has been left with egg on its face after a solicitor involved in an interview process asked how a female applicant would balance work with childcare. Seems like a reasonable question, so why was he so wrong?
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SICKNESS ABSENCE
Are the new fit notes fit for purpose?
On April 6, GP sick notes will be replaced with new “fit notes”. These are supposed to slash the 172 million working days lost to sickness absence each year. But will they live up to the government’s promises?
RETIREMENT
You may not be able to retire them!
The default retirement age of 65 was granted a stay of execution last year. But the government now wants it gone. So what is it proposing instead?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
The cost of no induction is £25,000!
You know that carefully inducting a new employee can help prevent a wide range of problems. But as BUPA recently discovered, there can be dire consequences if you don’t do this properly. What can you learn from its costly mistake?
SICKNESS ABSENCE
A drastic change in their illness
When an employee was first signed off, the sick note said “chest infection”. Now it cites “stress” as the reason for his absence. Either way, you want him out if he can’t do the job. But what step must you take before even trying to fire him?
RECRUITMENT
Now you can’t hire “reliable” employees?
According to one Jobcentre Plus branch, employers can’t use the word “reliable” in job ads, as it discriminates against unreliable people! Are they having a laugh, or is this term one that you really should avoid?
Most recent advice
VAT PENALTIES
New VAT penalties
April 1 sees the Taxman flexing his muscles again with the introduction of a new VAT and Excise Duty penalty for “wrongdoing”. What does this cover and should you be taking steps to protect yourself?
ACCOUNTS
Change your accounting date to save tax
If you’re self-employed, whether you’re running a full-time business or just doing some freelance work on the side, now is the time to think about changing your accounting year. Why?
CONTRACTS
What do “zero hours” contracts really mean?
You want to bring in another member of staff, but this time only on a casual basis. It’s been suggested that you could do this by using a “zero hours” contract. So what is this and could it cause you any problems?
FLEXIBLE WORKING
Flexible working - right from day one?
It’s rumoured that the government will soon extend flexible working rights to every employee from the day they start work. Something else to worry about?
SEX DISCRIMINATION
Is she (really) up to the job?
A leading law firm has been left with egg on its face after a solicitor involved in an interview process asked how a female applicant would balance work with childcare. Seems like a reasonable question, so why was he so wrong?
Calgarth House