2010 - March
Spotting pitfalls in IT contracts
You are the director tasked with handling a new IT contract for the company. The supplier has given you their contract which says that you can’t rely on any pre-contract discussions. But what if things go wrong, surely this can’t be right?
The judgment in a recent case concerning a company buy-out left a senior director and his company out of pocket to the Taxman to the tune of a small fortune. What’s the full story?
Are you acting in the twilight zone?
From time-to-time, companies can experience the odd cash flow problem and this is referred to as the “twilight zone”. It’s usually only a temporary issue, but why must directors act carefully when they enter it?
Getting your hands on your pension fund
The minimum age at which you can access your pension fund increased from 50 to 55 from April 6 2010, but there are some exceptions to this general rule. What are they?
Get ready for the Bribery Act 2010
A piece of legislation is moving through Parliament that will create a new “strict liability” offence for companies and directors where they fail to prevent bribery occurring within an organisation. Is this something else to worry about?
Are you making the most of mileage allowances?
The Taxman’s approved mileage allowance rates haven’t increased for eight years and are losing touch with the real cost of motoring. Will paying more bring you a tax advantage or just trouble from the Taxman?
Getting women into the boardroom
Apparently, the government is going to force companies to hire more female directors if they won’t do it voluntarily. Just how serious is this?
The World Cup in South Africa this summer is set to make many people a lot of money. However, it’s also set to cost businesses a fair amount of money too - in employee productivity. What can you expect to lose and how can you avoid it?
Will a green champion save any cash?
The message to “go green and save money” has been relentless. However, the sums seem to stack up when it comes to energy saving - could you get someone to take up the green agenda and make the cost savings a reality?
Making it easier to get your message across
It’s easy to get lost in formulae within a spreadsheet and forget about its appearance. Good formatting can make your numbers and their message stand out. Could conditional formatting be the answer?
You’ve just finished your year-end audit file for this year’s company accounts. But when you come to complete the VAT section of the next one in 15 months’ time, you might find you don’t have everything you need. What’s the problem?
In order to make decisions and put your forecasts together, you need to understand the fast-changing external environment your business operates in. What factors do you need to consider?
Your company is currently experiencing delays in completing projects and your MD has asked if you could bring your analytical skills to bear. How can you help improve the on-time performance of projects?
Corporate Social Responsibility has definitely grabbed the interest of the big companies, but there’s no reason why you can’t give a little back too - especially if it costs less than you think. How can you save by giving?
In some businesses as much as 50% to 90% of corporate call expenditure is on mobile phones. So how can installing a GSM gateway enable your business to make savings on calls to mobiles?
Fixing a broken purchase ledger
You’ve inherited a purchase ledger which doesn’t reconcile to the supplier statements and is littered with errors. You need to clean it up but where do you start?
Your company trades with customers and suppliers based outside the UK. How can you manage the foreign exchange risk on overseas trading when currency rates are so volatile at the moment?
Companies will soon have to submit both CT returns and company accounts to HMRC online in “XRBL” format. How might this affect you?
Using risk assessment as a planning tool
You’ve always thought of risk assessment as a bureaucratic necessity, but you’ve heard an argument that it could actually be a useful project planning tool. Is this really the case, and if so, when and how does it fit in?
To reduce costs you have decided to cancel your office cleaning contract and employ your own cleaner. As you will be starting from scratch, what do you need to put in place to ensure their safety and that of your staff?
Sensible advice on managing vibration
A specialist from the HSE has recently identified that preventing staff from being exposed to unacceptable levels of vibration doesn’t have to be complicated. What did they say?
The danger of entanglement presented by rotating machinery is well known. However, as a recent case proves, if you ignore this, it can lead to a serious accident and a large fine being imposed. What’s the latest?
Is a new standard for fire risk assessment on the cards?
Rumours are circulating that the government is set to introduce a new standard fire risk assessment document, and create rules which set out who can actually complete the process. Is there anything in this?
The HSE targets the construction industry - again!
Still not satisfied with the standards of small-scale construction work, the HSE is on the warpath again. So if you’re having construction work done, or you’re in the refurbishment business, how could the HSE’s latest campaign affect you?
It’s a shame that some MPs fail to understand health and safety law. If they did, they’d stop coming up with new ones. What’s happening now?
The tax cost of having no will
The rules that determine what happens to your estate if you die without a will can have serious knock-on effects for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. What steps should you take now to avoid IHT problems later?
Escaping the VAT flat-rate scheme isn’t easy
In a recent tribunal case a taxpayer lost in his attempt to retrospectively leave the flat-rate scheme after he found that it was costing him more VAT than under the normal rules. What’s the full story?
Capital allowances trap for companies
If a company owns the property used by another company for its business, there could be a problem when it comes to claiming capital allowances. What is it and can you get around it?
Are the new BPRA schemes worth it?
We’re always on the lookout for bigger and better tax-saving schemes. So is the Taxman, but for different reasons: he likes to attack them. So when we got our hands on details of a new scheme the first thing we wanted to know is - is it safe?
Tax deduction for unpaid interest
To ease cash flow you’re leaving the dividends due to you in the company. But you want it to pay interest for having the use of your money. The trouble is it can’t afford to pay that either. Does the tax system offer a silver lining to this cloud?
If your business is relocating to a more expensive area, or you’ve got your eye on a property that’s just out of your price range, is there any way in which your company can help with the finances without triggering a huge tax bill?
From May 1 2010 new NI rules will apply to anyone that you employ from another European country. What action do you need to take?
The directors are looking at taking over another company which has a few employees. Everything seems fine and they’ve all got sound employment contracts. But are there any other issues you should confirm before you buy?
One of your fellow directors had a close call on the motorway during the icy weather. It left him shaken and you worried about the impact on your company had the worst happened. Is keyman insurance something you should consider?
Who is the winner in the T&Cs battle?
Your company entered into a contract with another party. On doing so, it referred to its standard terms and conditions of business. But they’re now claiming that as theirs were mentioned first they, in fact, apply. What should the directors do?
Your company wants to move out of its current premises quickly, but assigning the lease is proving a pain. So your solicitor has suggested a virtual assignment. What is one of these and does it have any tax advantages?
Are tougher statutory duties really on the way?
You might have heard that directors will soon face tougher penalties for breaches of health and safety legislation. Is this really something you should be worried about, or just more hot air being spouted by the media?
Tax deductible apps for your smartphone
You’ve bought an “app” for your smartphone over the Internet which you’ll primarily use on company business. But the invoice is in your name and doesn’t show the VAT paid. Where do you stand with the Taxman if you want to claim tax relief?
The personal risk of being sued
A director has been ordered to pay over £2 million in damages for making representations on behalf of his company. What can you learn from this case?
Do you need to provide staff with a fridge?
You’ve been informed that there’s a requirement buried in health and safety legislation which requires all workplaces to have a fridge. Is this really the case, or have you been misinformed?
You’ve purchased respirators to protect staff from inhaling hazardous fumes. However, you’ve been told that the staff must be “fit-tested” before they can use them. Is this a legal requirement, and if so, how should they be trained?
Manual lifting and carrying assessment
To help you to manage the risk assessment process associated with manual handling activities, we’ve developed a new tool. How does it work and when should you use it?
Asbestos can be hidden almost anywhere
A recent case has highlighted the risks of ignoring an asbestos register and assuming that asbestos isn’t present. What are the details of this case and why is it so important that you don’t make the same mistakes?
Are pre-employment medical questionnaires still legal?
Apparently, if the government introduces new employment law in the form of the Equality Bill, it will spell the end for pre-employment health questionnaires. Is this going to happen, and if so, is there a suitable option on the cards?
Do it yourself project goes badly wrong
Construction and renovation work is really one for the experts. In fact, a recent case has proved why those who don’t know what they’re doing should leave well alone. What happened?
Watch the weight of your contracts
Despite WeightWatchers’ claims that they were “self-employed”, a tribunal has ruled that 1,700 of its class leaders are really “employees”. So why has the wording of its carefully-drafted agreements just cost it nearly £24 million?
Don’t be (too) kind to your staff
When disciplining employees you know that you must act reasonably. So you might be inclined to give them the “benefit of the doubt”, particularly for a first offence. But could a decision like this ever come back to bite you?
Injured while playing dangerous sports
A subscriber recently granted an employee’s last-minute holiday request so they could go skiing. But the only winter break they got was one in their leg! The question is: are they entitled to sick pay as the injury was their own fault?
Hiding the (dangerous) problem of workplace bullying
In what’s become known as “Shovegate”, the Prime Minister has been accused of bullying his staff. Downing Street has dismissed the reports as “nonsense”. But what should you do if you hear whispers about this type of behaviour?
Washing dirty linen at the employment tribunal
A robust e-mail and Internet policy will go a long way to stopping employees from wasting your time. But, as a recent tribunal case shows, having one could also protect your reputation. So what’s the latest news?
What is discrimination by association?
Disabled employees are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act. But a recent case suggests that their relatives may now be able to claim “discrimination by association” too. How do you avoid this new risk?
If some MEPs get their way, employees on maternity leave will soon be entitled to 20 weeks’ pay at their full salary rate. But is this really worth worrying about?
British Standard for energy saving - BS EN 16001
If you want to follow a structured and formalised approach to saving energy, British Standards claim to have the answer in the form of BS EN 16001. What is it, and is it something that should interest you?
Safe disposal of sanitary waste
You’ve been told that you have a legal duty to provide a means of disposing of sanitary products in your ladies’ washrooms. Is this really the case, or can they be flushed down the toilet?
This isn’t just any initiative; this is a Marks and Spencer (M&S) green initiative. The retailer has announced that it plans to be the greenest retailer in the world. So what is it doing to achieve this, and can you learn anything from its plan?
The government has recently amended the law which covers how certain waste-handling activities are controlled and enforced by the Environment Agency. What’s new and how might you be affected?
Cashback for green investments
The government has finalised its Clean Energy Cashback scheme, which means that anyone generating electricity using on-site renewable energy systems is entitled to claim a payment. But is it worth taking advantage of?
You’ve been told that if you’re visited by an inspector from the Environment Agency (EA), one of their favourite questions is about where site drains flow and what goes into them. What can you do to make this an easy one to answer?
The Environment Agency (EA) has just been handed additional powers to penalise businesses that commit environmental crimes. What’s to know?
Alternative system tools for Windows
Windows is equipped with a large number of “system tools” such as Explorer, “restore points”, etc. They are handy utilities, but here are some free alternatives which take care of the job even better or faster.
Let your customers have their say
The opinion of your customers is crucial for your business. We’ve already reviewed several services which let you organise online surveys. Here’s a newcomer: Pollcode.
Managing your iPod/iPhone music without iTunes?
If you have an iPod or iPhone, you will probably be using iTunes to manage your music collection and transfer music to your MP3 player. But there are alternatives. What do they have to offer?
Why use an online virus scanner?
Smart computer users will have installed a virus scanner on their computers. However, these tools need updating regularly. If you’re not sure that this really happens, you can call in the help of an online virus scanner.
To make a screenshot, you can use the built-in software in Windows. However, there are also dedicated tools which offer lots more options. ZScreen is a new free program. How good is it?
Safer browsing with Internet Explorer
Both the German and the French authorities recently warned against using Internet Explorer because of potential security leaks. Still, you can safely use IE if you apply the correct settings. What exactly should you pay attention to?
Suppose you’re asked to design a new product or website, a folder, a new shop window, etc. There are dedicated webtools which allow you to develop your graphical ideas together with others.
E-mailing with Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Mail, Microsoft’s e-mail program, was recently given a facelift. Is this e-mail client still worthwhile or are competitors such as Outlook or Thunderbird better?
How useful are Internet directories?
It’s easy to forget, but besides the traditional search engines, such as Google and Bing, there are lots of Internet “directories”. Are these Web indexes still useful or can you safely delete them from your bookmarks?
Google must have been a bit envious of the growing success of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as Gmail has all of a sudden been equipped with a competitor: Google Buzz. However, it’s a controversial service.
Your house is an asset. There are many ways to use it - from exchanging your home with someone else’s for a holiday or by simply letting a room.
Can you send a payslip by e-mail?
One of our subscribers wants to know if it’s legal to send employees their payslips by e-mail. On the face of it there’s nothing to stop them doing this. But are there any hidden dangers lurking behind the scenes?
Mobile technology and skiving off
A new survey has found that 41% of employees think advances in technology are so good that it’s now easier than ever to bunk off work. But is such skiving inevitable? If not, what steps can you put in place to prevent it?
Should you always be honest with references?
It was a huge relief when a nightmare of an employee resigned. But you’ve now received a reference request - seems like they want to be a headache for another unlucky employer. So is honesty the best policy in this situation?
Use the staff handbook to vary your contracts
Asda Stores recently wanted to bring all of its staff under a single pay structure. But this meant altering 18,000 contracts. So how did the wording in its staff handbook help it to get around the 8,700 who opposed the change?
Are their affairs risking your reputation?
Chelsea Football Club came under pressure to sack John Terry after his extra-marital affair brought its reputation into disrepute. But just how far can you go to protect your business if an employee engages in similar activities?
Holiday pay and sickness absence - a first decision
In recent months, the European Court of Justice has dealt with a number of cases involving holiday pay and sickness absence. Here, an employment tribunal has just heard the first case on this point. What does it mean for you?
Religious symbols v dress codes
BA has ended up in the Court of Appeal after it banned a devout Christian employee from wearing a small crucifix. So was this religious discrimination?
You’ve heard on the grapevine that by taking your personal pension earlier than planned there are a couple of ways you can dodge some of the new higher taxes that come in force from April 6. Is this true and, if so, how does it work?