With over half of the entire UK population having a Facebook account, it is claimed that employers are losing £14 billion per year as a direct result of employees accessing social media sites during work hours, yet their hands are tied when it comes to disciplinary action resulting in a minefield for employers and the rules of what is acceptable and what is not are very hazy.
Category: Legal
Contracts, Human Resources HR, Employment and legal advice for owners and managers of SME small and medium sized business owners.
New intellectual property support announced for SMEs
New measures have been announced by the Government today which they believe will help SMEs to protect their intellectual property and grow their business.
Employers’ guide: What to do with striking workers
With two million public sector workers taking to picket lines in a row over pensions, an employment expert outlines the dos and don’ts for employers of striking workers. Make sure you don’t get caught out.
New intellectual property court process to boost UK business
The Government today confirmed that a new small claims service will be introduced at the Patent County Court (PCC), helping small and medium sized businesses protect their copyright, patents, trade marks and designs.
Huge increase as corporate identity fraud hits SMEs
An increase in crimes against SMEs means that, in the past year, over 15,000 small businesses claim to have fallen victim to corporate identity fraud – which can have crippling financial consequences.
Every business needs a set of T & C’s
Businesses wanting to save both time and money should revisit the basics and make sure they have in place a good set of terms and conditions.
The Phoenixes & Albatrosses in Business Recovery
Business recovery still retains some of the stigma ascribed by what some see as a traditional British reserve and lack of endorsement for vanity or ostentation. Failure is regarded by some as the just reward for getting ideas above your station.
First charged under new Bribery Act
Munir Yakub Patel, an administrative clerk at Redbridge Magistrates Court, has been the first person to be charged with an offence under the Bribery Act 2010.
Unfair Dismissal changes start next April: Will you be prepared?
The Government has confirmed that with effect from 6 April 2012 the qualifying period of service required for an employee to present a claim for unfair dismissal would be extended from 1 to 2 years.
What can you do if one of your employees does a ‘Carlos Tevez’?
You may have seen the recent coverage of Carlos Tevez ‘ refusal to play in Manchester City’s game against Bayern Munich earlier this week. Whilst football clubs and players may seem quite far removed from the usual ‘employee – employer’ relationship the same considerations do still apply.
Older workers should be embraced as retirement age limit is removed
The face of the UK’s workforce will change dramatically as a result of the Government calling time on the Default Retirement Age. From 1st October, employers will not be able to use the DRA to compulsorily retire employees. As a result, workers will get older and companies will have to review their recruitment policies to ensure they continue to stay within the law.
The real importance of protecting intellectual property
“You’ve got nothing worth investing in…so I’m out” is one of the scathing put downs frequently voiced on Dragons’ Den as the budding entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas. So why do so many of the hopefuls leave empty handed, and what is the secret to the success of others Barbara Rigby, Patent Attorney, Dehns explains…
Managing divorce within a family business
External challenges of a weak economy and lack of banking finance remain constant challenges to family businesses. As a result, most business owners wish to use their management time and cash resources to ensure their business remains competitive in the marketplace.
After the riots, employers now face a dilemma over pay
After the disruption caused by the recent riots, business as usual has resumed for most businesses. However, as the month end approaches, some employers may be facing a potentially costly dilemma – should they go ahead and pay workers for their complete shift, even if the business closed early?
Olympics 2012: Business opportunity or an opportunity to be sued?
Whilst the Olympic and Paralympic Games present many opportunities for businesses as we approach 2012, there are also pitfalls in the shape of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 (“Olympics Act”).