2008 - October
Do you like the sound of that?
There’s a new version (8) of iTunes. It also includes the new Genius function, which helps you to discover new music. As there are already sites that can help you to do this, we check if the upgrade is worthwhile.
In these uncertain times, a look back at how the press covered similar events in the past can be instructive. Digitised news archives allow you to do just this.
All your e-mail accounts on one single website
You probably have several e-mail accounts - private, professional, one or more webmail addresses, ... Modern e-mail programs enable you to check them simultaneously, but is this also possible via the Web?
PowerPoint is the standard for creating presentations. However, a new online tool - SlideRocket - has arrived. Can it compete with other Web-based services such as Google Docs and Zoho Show, or with PowerPoint itself?
Gmail constantly succeeds in improving its webmail service. With revisions constantly appearing, we check out the recent innovations.
Chargeable versions or freeware?
In our previous issue we compared two commercial software programs with two free tools for anti-virus protection and DVD burning. We repeat this test for backup programs and photo editors.
Choosing your digital photo frame
As was the case last year, digital photo frames are likely to be popular Christmas presents again. How many kinds of photo frames are there and what features should you be looking for?
If you’ve ever worked with Linux, you will know that you can use several virtual desktops. However, this is also possible in Windows XP and Vista. Is this a useful feature and how do you install it?
Did you know that it’s not legally prohibited to make one backup copy of your DVDs for personal use? But how do you do this and what software is needed?
Making the most of your iPhone or iPod Touch
With the recent launch of both the new 3G iPhone and the iPod Touch, we take a look at what the fuss is about and if they can be recommended.
You’ve been sent a statutory questionnaire to complete as part of a discrimination claim. If you fail to return it to the employee before the hearing, will the tribunal automatically think you have something to hide?
Recent changes to sex discrimination legislation have tightened up your duty to protect staff from third party sexual harassment. Whilst this might sound all well and good in theory, how can you go about doing this in practice?
When to start the formal procedure?
You tell an employee that they’re not going to receive a pay rise this year. They subsequently go sick, but on their return to work say they were upset and suffered insomnia and nose bleeds. Should you treat this as a formal grievance?
You’ve realised that a self-employed worker should have been treated as an employee for income tax purposes, and now HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is after you for back taxes. Could a recent change in the law help you?
According to recent research, age is rapidly becoming the main discrimination-related grievance amongst UK employees. So what are the key risk areas that you should be aware of?
Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth…
A member of staff has behaved in a way that’s caused you both some embarrassment, so you need to let them go. But you don’t want to tell everyone the reason. Is it OK to make something up?
To prevent a claim, you may want to try and persuade an employee to drop proceedings against you. But why must you be careful in how you do this?
A recent case shows that even tax specialists can’t get tax relief for home to work travel. However, there is something you can still claim…
Is a visiting tax officer within his rights to request a payment there and then, particularly if you haven’t even had a chance to discuss it with your advisor? If this happens to you, what should you do?
A large tax-free loan account can be generated when a business is incorporated. However, the Taxman has learnt a new way to attack this and collect more tax. What do you need to be aware of?
If you trade through more than one company, you can share the overheads around to save tax by making management charges. However, there is a VAT trap for the unwary. How can you avoid it?
A colleague has told you that now is the best time to trade in your company car and get a new one. He says that if you don’t you will lose out on a valuable tax break for your company. Is there something you should be doing?
Director made personally liable for CT
In a recent case a company had underpaid its Corporation Tax (CT) bill and then several years down the line the Taxman sought to collect that tax from the company’s director personally. How can you protect yourself from this?
As a taxpayer, your chosen charity can get a tax repayment on your donation to their appeal. However, there is something you can do to make the most of this generosity. So what is it?
A colleague told you that someone was able to claim thousands of pounds in compensation when he slipped on a flower petal. Could this really be right, and if so, does it mean you’re now at even greater risk of a silly claim like this?
Personal computers on the Taxman?
Your kids do the majority of their homework on your one and only computer. You’d like to buy them both wireless-enabled laptops so that they can work, surf and research in their own time. Can you get the company to pay for them?
Like many successful directors you travel a fair bit on business, often relying on a hire car to get you to a client, site etc. But are you aware of the ptifalls and hidden costs? How can you ensure your trip doesn’t come with an unexpected bill?
A director’s been in touch querying a new law which seems to give consumers more rights to change their minds and back out of contracts. If this is right, should he alter his company’s terms and conditions?
As directors, you’re unsure of your duties if there’s a conflict between your own interests and those of the company. So what’s the story in light of the new Companies Act?
Playing hardball with slow payers
You’ve noticed that more and more of your customers are late in paying your invoices. In response, can you simply stop supplying them?
You’ve heard a rumour that your landlord is about to sell up. Naturally you’re concerned as this would really leave you in the lurch. If the rumour is correct, what are your rights in such a situation?
Some companies that offer health and safety services are adopting new tactics to attract clients. What are they doing and how can you avoid any charlatans?
Dealing with someone under the influence
One of your members of staff has been spotted taking what appears to be an illegal substance on your site. What are the health and safety implications of this, and how should you deal with the situation?
When an employee suffered an injury during a manual handling operation the HSE showed an interest. The result was a large fine plus costs. So what could the company have done to prevent it?
Identifying site-specific hazards
Although it would be handy if all sites were the same with similar risks, this is rarely the case. So why not use our site survey document to help you plan and manage your jobs on what might be unfamiliar ground?
A company has recently been prosecuted because it had not done anything to manage the risks associated with fire. What can you learn from this particular case?
We’d rather not say what happened
Conducting a detailed investigation then going public with your findings may appear to be the best way of preventing a similar incident. But are there problems with this approach that you should be aware of?
A member of staff has reported that they’ve got a painful rash on their hands and arms, which they’re convinced has been caused by their work environment. How should you proceed?
Working more efficiently with Outlook
Are you an intensive Outlook user? A little extra expert assistance might help you to control the e-mails that keep flooding in.
When something goes wrong in Windows, you will probably automatically hit the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys in order to check what the problem is via the Task Manager. What exactly is this Task Manager and are there any better alternatives?
There’s good news if you often work with digital photographs: both the Picasa software and the Picasa Web Albums site have been revamped. We check out the new options.
Rev up your blog with FeedBurner
Professional bloggers often use FeedBurner when they want to promote their blog. What makes FeedBurner stand out from the crowd? We check out one of Google’s latest acquisitions.
Local search engines, as the modern alternatives to paper-based directories such as Yellow Pages, have become a useful tool for consumers and businesses alike. We compare the best sites and look at how to get your business listed.
Extra cash from affiliate marketing
Your website could be earning you extra cash during the credit crunch. We look at how “affiliate marketing” works and at the various options available.
Minor improvements for Firefox 3.0
Firefox version 3.0 is an improvement, but there are ways to make it even better. Here are a couple of simple tips for customising and modifying one of the leading browsers on the market.
Ego Searching: what is your online reputation?
It’s quite common for people to check their own name or that of their company on Google. It’s not a matter of vanity but rather a vital necessity. After all, you should know what your online reputation is.
Here’s another batch of useful services for your business. They can help you to devise a name or a logo for your company or your new product, keep track of your time or monitor projects.
Many commercial programs have freeware “counterparts” as well. We compare two such duos: for virus protection and for burning CDs and DVDs. Can “freeware” options perform adequately or is it better to pay?
“But I don’t think she’s disabled...”
You’ve decided to reject a job applicant because her health looked a bit dodgy. However, she reckons her condition is protected by disability discrimination legislation. How can you argue that she’s not, in fact, disabled?
Dealing with a poor people manager
One of your managers is a good performer but her people management skills are poor. Should you just accept this, or are there risks in not taking action? If so, what are they and what should you respond?
What if the absence is our fault?
Taking the decision to dismiss in a case of long-term absence is tricky, but where do you stand if the employee is off sick because of something you’ve done?
A survey of employment lawyers showed that 46% believe that restrictive covenants are no longer appropriate or effective. So can they still be useful, and if so, what pitfalls should you watch out for?
If you change the way in which a job is done, can the employee refuse to do it and claim that they are redundant and entitled to a redundancy payment? A recent case sheds some light...
How do you deal with an employee who you believe has taken an unacceptable amount of sick leave? What are some quick non-contractual fixes for tightening up procedures in the future?
The meaning of continuous employment
You probably know that many of the rights available to employees are dependent on the amount of continuous service that they have. But what problems are associated with this requirement?
Who checks your company’s return?
Even companies have to complete a tax return. When it comes to your turn to sign off this formal document, what should you double-check to ensure everything goes smoothly?
One of the Taxman’s top reasons for opening an enquiry into a company’s tax return is an overdrawn director’s loan account. Would adding additional information to the return prevent an investigation?
If one of your workers is reclassified from self-employed to employed, you will end up with a PAYE tax bill. In the past you could get the Taxman to offset any tax they had already paid. Can you still rely on this concession?
If you’ve still got a tax return to submit for 2007/8, the Taxman will tell you to do it electronically this year. Why is this? And how can you take advantage of having to file online?
You’re thinking of buying a brand from another business in order to boost your company’s sales over the next couple of years. What’s the most tax-efficient way to deal with this acquisition?
New guidance from the Taxman warns that if you ignore a question on the 2007/8 return you do so at considerable risk. What should be your response?
Directors and the NMW for 2008/9
On October 1 2008 National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates increased again. Even if you haven’t paid yourself the NMW in the past, as a director of your own company, is now the time to reconsider your position?
A fellow director placed an order which he thought had been accepted. But the seller has rung back to say the deal is off because they’d misquoted the price. Where does this leave the company and what can it do, if anything?
Following a PAYE visit, the inspector wanted to add the use of a courtesy car to the benefits already disclosed on your P11D. What was his line of argument and how can you successfully fend him off?
With tough trading conditions in many sectors, you may be looking at ways to save on payroll costs. Much as you’d like to, you know that you can’t simply cut an employee’s pay. Or can you?
The deadline for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for commercial properties passed on October 1. Have you got yours? In fact, you may not need one - so what’s the story?
You’ve paid for business expenses out of a cash advance from your company. What sort of receipt do you need to avoid HMRC later reversing your company’s claim for the VAT included in your expenses?
Take care with Internet comparison sites
It’s never been easier to compare financial products online or to go ahead and buy them using comparison websites. Yet the Financial Services Authority has expressed some concern over their use. Should you be careful?
You’ve recently been looking at how much you’re spending on protective equipment, focusing in particular on items that are worn infrequently. One option you’re considering is asking staff to share. Is this a valid request?
“Sorry, you can’t have it - health and safety you know!”
When one of your drivers refused to deliver an item because they considered it was too heavy, the customer objected, and so did your sales manager. How could this situation have been avoided?
The HSE has amended the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). What’s new and how will the changes affect you?
You would like to hold a family and friends open day for your staff. However, you’re concerned that managing the health and safety issues will make it almost impossible to do so. Is this the case, or is it easier to organise than you think?
Writing it down just isn’t good enough
A company recently discovered that written safety policies and procedures don’t count for much if they haven’t been implemented properly. So what went wrong and why did this business end up in court?
A recent case highlighted the need to ensure that employees are properly trained when working at height. What happened and how can you avoid ending up in a similar situation?
Providers (ISPs) may promise great speeds but are you surfing the super-highway or are you stuck in the shallows? Here’s how to find out.
There’s a lot of hype about “netbooks”: really small notebooks which cost less than £300. What do they have to offer, what can you use them for and where can you find some information about them?