2005 - May
The government has recently accepted the findings of a report into regulatory enforcement in the UK. This will have some implications for how health and safety is enforced by the authorities. What are the key points to be aware of?
Using hand-held mobile phones was banned as it’s a proven distraction. However, research shows that they’re not the only problem. What’s the latest news?
As an employer, you have a duty to keep your floors free from slip hazards, so far as is reasonably practicable. But what happens if there’s an accident due to a pipe burst? What does a recent Court of Appeal decision say?
You have an employee who’s suffering from “RSI”. You’ve followed medical advice and provided her with an alternative keyboard etc. She’s still having problems and you’re running out of solutions. How do you cover your back?
Dealing with corrosive chemicals
You’re reviewing your emergency procedures for dealing with incidents involving corrosive chemicals. You need to know what the legal position is and what areas your procedures should include, so, where do you start?
Some of your staff use chainsaws and have experienced a few problems with breakdowns. For this reason, you’ve decided to review your maintenance regime. What should it include and how do you organise it?
The Health & Safety Executive blitzes of construction sites are ongoing and one priority is manual handling. So why not use our construction manual handling assessment to make a spot check on how well you manage any risks?
You are thinking of holding a promotional party to celebrate the anniversary of being in business for “X” years in 2005. If, for whatever reason, you don’t hold the party until 2006 can you still claim a tax deduction in your 2005 accounts?
You want to sell your business and take advantage of the 10% tax rate on gains, but there are no takers for your shares. One adviser suggested buyers only want shares in large or “clean” companies. What’s the solution?
Dealing with conflicts of interest
After discovering that one of your employees has a second job, you’ve decided that you need to prevent potential conflicts of interest from arising. What are the key legal issues that such a policy should address?
In a recent case the Special Commissioner had to consider whether a director could resign one day and be given a tax-free payment the next by the new board. Could you take full advantage of this idea?
You’re intending to spend a substantial amount on refurbishing a residential let property whose kitchen is badly in need of modernisation. Can you claim this expense as a tax deduction against rental income from the property?
You’ve heard that a recent legal decision means that spouses who both draw dividends from their company will have to pay more tax. Is this true?
You know that the VATman normally blocks recovery of input VAT on cars. But if you already have a car and are thinking of buying a second vehicle it might be possible for you to claim the VAT back on it following a recent case. Read on.
If you have employed and self-employed income, you may be paying too much NI . How do you know if you’ve paid too much, and if you have, how do you claim it back?
When does redundancy take place?
If you intend to make a lot of employees redundant, you’re under a duty to consult with recognised trade unions or, in their absence, with elected employee representatives. How has the law tightened in light of a recent case?
Sickness and holiday entitlement
If an employee’s on long-term sick leave are they still entitled to paid annual leave? What’s the latest on this following a Court of Appeal decision?
You’re happy for some of your staff to take clients out for the odd meal. However, one of your team seems to be doing this on a regular basis with little to show for it. How should you deal with it?
You have a troublesome employee. You’ve followed the correct procedures to the letter so far and a dismissal seemed imminent. Now, however, she’s been signed off sick for six weeks. What can you do about it?
Like all employers, your bottom line takes a hit when staff absenteeism becomes a problem. Yet you’re supposed to become ever more “family-friendly” and cope with this time off. However, could working with staff actually pay dividends?
Getting meaningful information
You’re recruiting and want some solid information on whether or not an applicant is likely to take lots of sick leave or be a potential troublemaker. With the current reluctance to give detailed references, how can you get around this?
Changes for the transport sector
In order to improve safety within the transport industry, new legislation covering working hours came into force in April 2005. What are these new regulations and what are the key points to be aware of?
The Health & Safety Executive says that it has devised a tool to help limit your Employers’ Liability insurance premiums. Should you get excited?
On April 6, 2005, the Work at Height Regulations came into effect. As a result, you’ve decided to review your approach to assessing the risks of this type of work. So what should your assessments now look at?
You’re engaged in construction and have been advised by a colleague that you need to have COSHH assessments in place for any hazardous substances used What should you include and how do you carry them out?
Having a safe system of work in place for handling hazardous chemicals is vitally important due to the consequences of a spillage. Following recent case law, what precautions should you be taking?
Returning to work after a stroke
One of your employees has had a stroke and wishes to return to his office job. He’s lost some mobility and you need to know the key health and safety issues to consider before he returns to work. What are they?
Your staff are complaining about finding discarded syringes on sites which they visit as part of their job. What are the key health and safety risks involved and how can they be reduced?
But we don’t employ foreigners…
When you think of “religious” discrimination, you assume it won’t be a problem in your workplace because there are no Sikhs, Hindus or Muslims etc. However, in light of a recent case, is this a safe assumption to make?
The Taxman is keen to encourage employers to file all PAYE returns online. Are there any cash incentives for filing expenses and benefit forms (P11Ds etc.) online too? If not, is there still any advantage in doing it this way?
Do you pay a basic rate which includes an element for holiday pay (otherwise called rolled-up holiday pay)? If you do, what’s the current legal situation and what are the key elements for your contracts?
Like many employers you probably conduct one-to-one selection interviews. But had you ever considered whether panel interviews might produce better results? What are the key factors to consider?
When no means no tribunal claim
The Flexible Working Regulations 2002 have already been in force for some time, yet few cases have come before the tribunals. Surveys show that more than 25% of requests are turned down. How can you safely say no?
Not benefiting from part-time work
You need to recruit several part-timers for a new project. However, your budget is tight and you don’t want them to become entitled to the same benefits as your permanent staff. What steps will you need to take to avoid this?
VAT and speculative new builds
Although the law on taxing new builds was set in tablets of stone back in 1992, the VATman still tries to “cheat” taxpayers on occasions. If he tries to take the shine off your speculative venture what should you do?
Have you ever stopped to think how much your teenager’s pocket money costs you? We’ve thought of a way to make these handouts tax-efficient and improve your child’s “work skills” at the same time. Read on.
If you’re dropped from the Taxman’s self-assessment system for 2005 will this mean a cut in your adviser’s charges?
You’ve just received your 2004/5 personal tax return when another letter from the Taxman arrives. However, this one asks you to re-submit last year’s return (2003/4) as soon as possible. What’s going on?
The Taxman is challenging employee business mileage claims, in search of underpayments of tax. However, there is something you can do to defend against this attack both now and in the future. What is it?
How to reconstruct your tax bill
Diversifying can make good business sense. However, if this investment takes over from your trading activities this could result in a tax problem later on. What could you do now to avoid a future Capital Gains Tax (CGT) bill?
New regulations which change the way statutory maternity pay is calculated took effect on April 6. How might you be affected?