2007 - November
If you have confidential or sensitive files on your hard disk, you’ll want to protect this information from anyone else using your computer. The best solution is to encrypt the information. But how can you do that?
If you’re using two different computers, it’s a good idea to keep the content of important folders completely identical (“synced”). It’s best to use dedicated sync software for this purpose. But which program is the best?
A Hotmail account is ideal if you’re often on the road, but it can be a pain when you’re used to working with Outlook. Can you have the best of both worlds? Outlook Connector solves this dilemma.
Stumbling upon interesting sites
StumbleUpon is a popular browser plug-in that can help you to find interesting websites by chance. And now this same plug-in can help you to search more efficiently. How does it do that?
Wireless: only when necessary?
A subscriber asked us how he could switch off the wireless section in his home network. How do you do this (be it only temporarily) and why would you want to do that anyway?
Discover the real you… in an online test
Psychological and other tests can be fun, but they can also be useful. As you will have discovered, there are hundreds of online tests on the Internet. But where do you find the good ones?
Saving money on the top Christmas toys
Christmas is always an expensive time of year, especially for toys. We find out where you can find the best prices - online or on the high street.
Your own website: how well-protected is it?
We’ve been hearing a lot lately about hacked websites, stolen credit card information and other alarming stories. Since it may also happen to you, it’s best to fully protect your website. But how?
Winamp and RealPlayer: what’s new?
A new version of audio player Winamp has been available for a while now, and the latest beta version of RealPlayer also has some new features. Is it worth the effort to upgrade to either program?
Relax with a late New Year break
The European Commission has warned about dodgy airline ticket websites. So if you’re planning a New Year break, you could consider a package deal.
Beating the high costs of recruitment
Many employers treat staff turnover as a business reality without having much idea how much it actually costs. Following new research, why does it make commercial sense to understand what your financial outlay really is?
Have a merry (and claim-free) Christmas
With Christmas on the way, the pessimists are predicting the demise of the office knees-up once again. But does this have to be so? If not, what’s the real deal with regards to avoiding a discrimination-type claim this party season?
What to do with that creative talent?
If an employee invents something whilst working for you, do you know who owns it? And who owns the copyright in any literary, artistic or dramatic work that your employee might produce?
If you ever find yourself tempted to cut corners when dismissing an employee, a new case shows what can go wrong. What lessons can you learn from it?
Varying contracts - what’s required?
A growing problem for employers is where an employee argues that a contract has been subject to an implied variation to their advantage. How can you prove that this isn’t the case?
Is “fattism” now discriminatory?
A colleague has advised our subscriber that discriminating against obese staff is now illegal. As they employ some seriously overweight employees, they need to know if this is true. So what is the position?
You know that if an employee’s “forced” to resign due to their employer’s behaviour/conduct, they can bring a constructive dismissal claim. But what if the “boss” isn’t really the employer?
You’re thinking of developing/selling a new product in conjunction with a partner, who also has a limited company. The question is, what trading format should be used for this joint venture? Can tax help you choose?
If employees carry colleagues on business trips in their cars or vans, your company could improve its “carbon footprint”. But are there any tax-free mileage benefits which support such a green travel policy?
In a recent tribunal case, the trader represented himself. It did him no harm as he was found to be a “transparently honest man who had been trying to deal correctly with his VAT affairs”. So should you represent yourself?
We’ve covered the value of a deed of variation of a will or intestacy before. However, if this isn’t going to have the desired tax effect that you envisaged, is there a simple way to get out of this situation?
The government wants you to health screen all your employees. However, this might now come with a tax bill for both of you. What’s the latest?
It’s now clear that in a drive to meet increased targets at network offices, the Taxman is taking a much tougher line on tax underpaid by businesses. If you get a letter about understated profits how far will the Taxman push you?
The company is considering purchasing a helicopter to fly the directors to business meetings. But what if it’s also used privately? Will there be any tax to pay, even if only one of the directors is a licensed pilot?
A couple of years ago, rates for compulsory Employers’ Liability (EL) insurance went through the roof. How can a subscriber’s web experience work for you?
Turning overseas sales into cash
You’ve just won a contract to supply goods or services to a customer outside the UK, but you’re worried about payment. As a director, how can you make sure you get paid, and on time?
Myths about tax (and how to save it) are adding to an already confusing system. So how do you separate fact from fiction? Here are several of the most widely peddled tax myths and their effects on you as a director.
Although the company’s doing rather well, things aren’t so clever on the home front. It’s not working out with your live-in partner and you’re worried you could lose everything if you go your separate ways. What’s the latest?
What’s new with service agreements?
You’re about to take on a new director. You’ve heard that the new Companies Act 2006 doesn’t have any impact on directors’ service agreements so you can issue your normal contract. Is this really correct?
How does your building perform?
Energy Performance Certificates are on the horizon for all commercial premises, including tenanted dwellings. What are they and when do you need to get one for your building?
“Warning, warning, accident about to happen”
Wouldn’t it be good to have prior warning that an accident is about to happen - and the knowledge to prevent it. Are such warnings available? If so, how can you use them to stop future accidents?
The HSE has produced a topic pack for inspectors, to help them deal with businesses using migrant workers. What’s in it, what’s its legal status and is there anything you need to be aware of?
Time to revise your driving at work policy?
Since we introduced our original driving at work policy, there have been a number of legislative changes, with potentially more to come. So why not use our new document to ensure your policy is up-to-date?
Now that winter is officially here, it’s dark when staff arrive for work and leave at night. What should you be doing to ensure any risks are managed and accidents prevented?
Moving goods safely - part one
Following a pilot scheme in London, the HSE has announced a new campaign which will be focused on the transportation of goods. What, in particular, will be under scrutiny and when could you expect a visit?
Employer’s safe systems defeated
Whilst most prosecutions for health and safety breaches are taken against the employer, there’s nothing to stop the HSE taking action against an employee - as this case highlighted. What happened?
You have some new members of staff, and although they’ve had safety induction training, you still need to keep them under observation for a short while. Is there a way to make them stand out from the crowd?
Many businesses choose to offer more than just Statutory Sick Pay when staff are off ill. However, offering employees financial security can have its pitfalls. What are they and how can they be avoided?
Of course you do what you can to stamp out any kind of workplace discrimination. But can there ever be a time when harassment is acceptable? What can you learn from a subscriber’s experience?
You’re familiar with the legal risks of workplace bullying. Yet according to new research, a new type - cyber-bullying - is on the rise. What’s the latest?
It’s well known that tribunals increasingly look outside the contract to determine the employment status of agency temps. But a new appeal decision shows when it can be used with other workers. What’s the latest?
Resolving procedural irregularities
If you’ve followed our advice on the disciplinary process, you’ll know that you must get it right. But if you fail to follow some of the procedures, can you still salvage the process? What does a Court of Appeal finding have to say?
If the Taxman challenges an accounting treatment in your accounts, e.g. writing-off a significant amount of new product costs, what should you do, particularly if he uses a large Plc as the role model?
Usually, if you give away some shares in your trading company, this will leave you with a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) problem. But there is a way to do this without you having to pay any tax. Read on.
New rules apply from April 6, 2008 on disposals of assets. However, sales made before that date will continue to be taxed under the existing rules. Should you sell now or later?
Sometimes you and your employees have to part company. If this is after a period of long-term sickness, can you reduce the cash you pay them by signing over PHI payments from an existing policy?
A couple of days after the 2007 Pre-Budget report, the Treasury quietly published what your tax allowances and NI bands will be for 2008/9. What’s it worth?
A recent case emphasised the role of deeds of variation in estate Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, particularly where the husband and wife jointly own property. What do you need to have in place to benefit?
If a customer places a security/reservation deposit with you and the goods are subsequently damaged or not taken up, do you have to account for VAT on the amount you keep to compensate yourself?
Like many company directors, you probably leave everything to do with insurance - including completion of the proposal forms - to your broker. Why might this prove to be a risky strategy?
Your company paid a tidy sum to a consultant almost two years ago. But the Taxman has only just got around to asking about your company accounts for that time. He’s requested an analysis of professional fees. What’s he really after?
The Companies Act 2006 claims to have made life simpler for businesses, particularly in relation to agreeing resolutions. So how can you benefit?
Can we claim for the director’s time?
You’ve just taken delivery of a new piece of kit that’s supposed to speed up workplace processes. In truth, it keeps breaking down and has taken up hours of a director’s time. Can you claim for this?
Paying interest on loan accounts
The Taxman can impose a tax charge on the benefit of a cheap loan from your company. However, there is an exemption for certain fixed rate loans. How can you take advantage of this?
On October 16, new pension scheme filing requirements took effect. How can you tell if they apply to directors and their companies? And if they do, what are the penalties for failing to comply?
A letter arrived today saying that there’s a county court judgment against the company (more than 1.1 million were issued in 2006). You don’t recall seeing or receiving anything, so what can the company do about this, if anything?
Recording significant findings
You’re aware that you only have a legal duty to record significant findings on your risk assessments. But what exactly does “significant” mean? And how do you know what to record without fully risk assessing absolutely everything first?
You’ve had a visit from an insurance assessor who’s made it clear that if you don’t keep your electrical systems checked and maintained, your cover could be invalid. What do you need to do?
You’ve spent many hours telling your staff to follow your health and safety-related rules. However, the messages aren’t getting through. Is there another, less direct, approach you could take?
If you were under the impression that the HSE had stopped focusing on working at height, this case certainly proves otherwise. Why did the HSE prosecute and how can you avoid a similar experience?
Slips and trips campaign focuses on cleaning
A colleague has warned you that HSE and local authority inspectors are going to be visiting sites looking at how slips and trips are being prevented. If this is true, what things in particular will be under scrutiny?
Unauthorised forklift truck use
Your yard manager has reported that a delivery driver started unloading a lorry using one of your forklift trucks, without permission. How did they manage to get the truck started and what can you do to prevent a repeat performance?
Can directors be prosecuted for breaches of health and safety law, even when they aren’t involved in day-to-day operations? What did a recent case identify?
Competition bites for Apple’s iTunes
Since 2001, iTunes has led the music download scene. But now Napster’s back and Amazon is heading your way. iTunes is still top dog but the chasing pack is getting closer and offering greater flexibility. Let’s review the marketplace.
We all forget something once in a while: an appointment, an invoice to be paid, a birthday, etc. A reminder service such as PingMe can help.
News channel CNN can now be watched entirely via the Internet, free of charge. And two other major news groups have decided to make (part of) their online news available to everyone for free. Let’s check them out.
Have you ever considered using the popular YouTube for adding videos to your personal or commercial website? How does it work?
Masses of digital photos after the summer holidays and Christmas is just around the corner, what can you do? We check out the best digital print services.
Google Docs already offered a free online word processor and spreadsheet which you could use in your browser. However, a presentation tool was recently added, a kind of online PowerPoint. How good is it?
News from the major webmail services
Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail aren’t resting on their laurels. We check the new features and see which service scores best overall.
BitTorrent, using the peer-to-peer or P2P system, remains by far the most popular tool for exchanging files (music, films, etc.) via the Internet. Good news: you can now use BitTorrent directly in your Firefox browser.
You may have read recently that computers can be infected by malware even if you simply surf to a website. Is this so? And how can you protect yourself?
Do you have an old CD-ROM containing photos that can’t be opened any more? Or have you inadvertently deleted files or photos from a USB stick or a memory card? Here are some free tools that can save your bacon.
An employee’s just filed a tribunal claim. Should you defend or settle it? Would looking at recent statistics help you decide?
A recent National Opinion Poll survey showed that around two-thirds of Britons give to charity. You’ve heard that payroll giving is a simple, tax-effective way for you and your employees to make donations. What’s involved?
You’re going to carry out a disciplinary hearing shortly and need to know if you can cover two unrelated matters at the same time. Is this possible, or would it be better to treat each separately?
There’s been some serious misconduct at work and one member of staff knows who is responsible. Trouble is, they’re only prepared to give an anonymous statement. Will this be good enough to ensure a fair procedure is followed?