2010 - April
Google Maps collects geographical maps for the entire world. They are handy tools for finding a location or obtaining a route or even company information. However, some Google Maps “mashups” offer something extra.
You’re probably watching online videos regularly, for example on YouTube or on a TV station site. You will have found that you can’t download these Flash videos easily. How can you save them on your hard drive?
Suppose you’ve made a series of pictures using your digital camera, but each photo is several megabytes large. How do you resize them fast and without any problems so that you can post them online or forward them via e-mail?
Tools such as CrossLoop or TeamViewer allow you to “take over” someone else’s computer remotely in case of problems. However, an even more straightforward solution is the ShowMeWhatsWrong service. How does it work?
Like Windows Vista, Windows 7 supports the use of “gadgets”. These are mainly meant to embellish your Windows desktop. But there are lots of useful gadgets as well.
Customise websites using Greasemonkey
Greasemonkey is a special browser extension which lets you customise certain websites. Until recently Greasemonkey worked in Firefox only, but now there’s a version for Google Chrome as well. What can it do?
Share your calendar… but not the details
Do you have colleagues, customers or relatives you wish to share a calendar with? Instead of e-mailing or making phone calls constantly, you can make your calendar available online, showing as few or as many details as you wish.
Do you want to make more out of Outlook? Here are some really useful tools and a couple of settings you may have overlooked.
Finding images according to composition or colour
The recently launched GazoPa is an image search engine which specialises in finding “similar images”. Why is such a service useful? And why not use Google Images for this purpose?
The summer holidays are drawing near, and perhaps you wish to brush up on the language of your foreign destination. Here are a couple of useful websites that can assist you.
With the economy still on the road to recovery, it’s never been more important to learn new skills. We examine sites that can help you in lots of ways.
Can your employees really request time off to train?
The government recently granted many employees the statutory right to request time off to train. So does the company have any grounds on which it can turn them down? Also, would it have to foot the bill where it agreed?
It’s been a rocky road for pension funds over the last couple of years, and to make matters worse the Taxman is slashing tax relief on premiums for high earners. But could using your pension fund as a money lender breathe some life back into it?
Must you pay for the dilapidations?
The company’s lease on its premises will end shortly. But the landlord has demanded that it “makes good” any dilapidations before then. So where does it stand and is there any way to reduce the directors’ own liability?
The tax tribunal recently considered whether cars used by two directors were taxable as company vehicles, even though the directors met the cost of supplying and running them. What’s the full story?
Could you be fined £250k by the Environment Agency?
The Environment Agency has been granted extra powers which allow it to take swift and draconian action against companies that cause pollution. As a director, it’s your neck on the line, so what should you be doing to stay out of trouble?
The Taxman has special anti-avoidance rules for directors who try to save tax by shifting some of their income to their kids. But as they won’t stay children forever, can income shifting work for you as a long-term plan?
Electronic motor insurance policies
Following a change in the law, insurers are now able to issue motor insurance policies by e-mail. Sounds good, so how else might this benefit directors?
Legal obligation to cut carbon
In April, the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) kicked in. Why has this scheme been brought in, which businesses are affected and what, if any, action should you take to comply with it?
Is the green message getting through?
NetRegs, which is part of the Environment Agency (EA), has recently surveyed businesses to find out whether they are becoming more energy and resource efficient. What did it find out and what can you learn from the findings?
The green payoff for flexible working arrangements
According to recent research, introducing some flexibility into your work arrangements, e.g. staggered starting times, allowing staff to work from home etc., can bring energy and carbon savings. Is there something in this?
Blue Anchor Leisure Ltd has recently been prosecuted by the Environment Agency for illegally storing and handling waste on one of its sites. What can be learned from their mistakes?
If your rubbish is sent to landfill, you’ll now be paying more for the privilege - and the rates are set to rocket in the next few years. What are the changes and what can you expect to pay for waste disposal in the future?
The government has recently folded seven environmental advisory bodies into one “super body” - the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP). Why has it taken this step and what, if any, difference will you notice?
The scope of the Environmental Permitting Regulations has been extended. What’s changed and how might the revised regime affect your business?
Must you do a risk assessment for homeworking?
At a recent conference, Lord Young, who is currently reviewing health and safety for the Conservative Party, described the process of completing a risk assessment for those who work at home as nonsense. Does his opinion count?
When a cherry picker overturned, the operator suffered serious injuries. The HSE investigated and his employer was prosecuted and fined. How did the accident happen and how can you avoid a similar fate?
What will a General Election do for health and safety?
What impact might a new government have on health and safety legislation? And whatever the outcome, is there anything you should be doing to prepare?
A couple of employees have come to you complaining that the hearing protection they wear on a daily basis is causing them discomfort. One even stated that it’s led to an ear infection. What should you do about this?
The HSE has launched a free to download tool to help businesses carry out risk assessments for repetitive tasks. Using it should help in the prevention of upper limb disorders. How does it work and should you use it?
There’s been much talk about lead in recent months - including the HSE being accused of not taking the risks associated with it seriously. So is lead as dangerous as asbestos, and if so, should you be stripping your building now?
The government has just issued new regulations that deal with staff competence regarding who manages fire safety issues. What’s to know?
Do existing staff need induction training?
You probably already put all new starters through a solid induction programme. But what about those employees who have been with you for a number of years. Should you bother putting them through the same one?
How to maintain contractual flexibility
Employers need to respond quickly to any unexpected business changes. So what contractual tricks can you learn from a recent High Court case involving British Airways (BA) and its cabin crew?
Many people meet their partner through work. But what if one employee shows an interest in another yet their feelings aren’t reciprocated? Is this one for Cupid to sort out, or could you be under a duty to intervene?
Is monitoring performance a disciplinary sanction?
An employee wasn’t following procedures so you decided to closely monitor their performance. They’re now arguing that you can’t do this as it’s a disciplinary sanction. What has the Employment Appeal Tribunal had to say about this?
Can new fathers now get six months off?
On April 6 2010 new fathers were granted additional paternity leave and pay rights - they can now take up to six months off. So how is this supposed to work in practice and is it something you need to worry about now?
Reasonable adjustment: “I can only work at home!”
You’re considering reasonable adjustments with an employee who is protected by the Disability Discrimination Acts. But they’re insisting the only one that’s suitable is a permanent homeworking arrangement! Must you agree to this?
The Working Time Directive may go
Until now, the UK has kept its right to opt out of the Working Time Directive. But the EU is now reviewing the entire legislation. So is it about to go for good?
Working faster with hotkeys and shortcuts
To launch an application via the Start button or the Windows desktop, you will typically use the mouse to move to the appropriate icon. This takes a couple of seconds. To gain time, use program shortcuts or hotkeys!
Various Web-based services allow you to build your own website and keep it up-to-date without any technical knowledge and at a low cost. We put two of them to the test.
Are you already planning your summer holidays or are you abroad on business often? Then you may want to find out what others have to say: they can point to the nicest places and the best restaurants.
Are you looking for an online tool for creating professional flowcharts, network diagrams, organisation charts, sitemaps, etc.? Choose one which offers adequate collaboration facilities.
More and more online Web-based services are replacing full programs. Their main advantages is that you only need a browser: there’s nothing to download or install. Here are some examples of what is possible online.
Security tip 1: keep your computer up-to-date!
Dedicated security software is a must. However, your first line of defence should be to keep the operating system and all software up-to-date at all times. This only takes a couple of good tools and some discipline.
Small traders, entrepreneurs and employees: we all are constantly confronted with deadlines. Which online tools can help you to respect your deadlines and manage them efficiently?
Making a backup of Gmail: why and how?
Countless people trust all their e-mail to Google’s excellent webmail service without considering the possible consequences. It’s a good idea to make a backup of your Gmail archive. What are the options?
Searching… via your mobile phone
All recent mobile phones and smartphones have Internet access and are equipped with a compact browser. Which search engines can you use for searching fast and efficiently while “on the road”?
Getting started with your start page
To make a productive start in your browser, it’s a good idea to create your personal start page. This is the page that will be loaded as soon as you launch your browser. Here are a few suggestions for creating such a page.
With LoveTheGarden.com being dug over, we take the opportunity to look at a variety of useful garden websites. A visit will be time well spent.
In his recent budget the Chancellor slipped in a sneaky change regarding the right of businesses to reclaim VAT using the Lennartz rule for purchases. This will affect thousands of businesses in the UK. What’s it all about?
New tax inspections start now!
The Taxman has tried out his new “all-in-one” inspection visits over the last year and is now starting them in earnest. As with most new systems, it’s throwing up one or two teething problems. So what can you expect?
Cashing in an investment the right way to save tax
Cashing in an investment can result in a big tax hit, as one of our subscribers discovered. Would the well established ploy of using so-called top slicing relief save tax, or could they do better?
How can loan notes save you tax?
A competitor has made you an offer you can’t refuse for your company, but wants to pay you off with a mixture of cash and securities. Will the latter put you at a tax advantage or disadvantage?
Making gifts in the right order
Most people have heard of the Inheritance Tax (IHT) seven-year rule, but few have heard of the 14-year rule, yet it could land your estate with a large IHT bill that leaves your beneficiaries out of pocket. When can it apply?
ISAs aren’t the only tax-free savings in town
If you didn’t use up your full ISA quota for 2009/10 by April 5, it’s lost forever. But waiting in the wings is an alternative tax-free investment that most people overlook. What is it?
The new tax year started on April 6 and with it came the risk of penalties for those who don’t toe the Taxman’s line on PAYE payments. What’s the story?
Company loans to cost more in tax
From March 24 the Chancellor has changed the rules on company loans to shareholders. In future, loans that a company writes off won’t get a Corporation Tax deduction. Are there ways to avoid this new tax cost?
The difference between warranties and indemnities
At some point you might be asked to provide a condition, warranty or indemnity on behalf of the company. But what’s the difference between them and are there any implications for the directors personally where they are given?
Do you need to change your company Articles?
Since October 1 2009 a new company will automatically have to use the standard constitution (Articles of Association) unless they produce their own version. Can and should older companies be doing the same?
Getting out safely with a break clause
You’ve been looking around for cheaper premises, as you think you’re paying over the odds in rent. The lease contains a “break clause” which you could rely on. If you say you want out, are there any traps?
Capital allowances for directors
When your company buys equipment it’s allowed to claim a tax deduction for the cost. But in some cases a director might be entitled to claim a greater tax deduction if they buy the equipment and let the company use it. Is this a good idea?
First case under the Companies Act 2006
The judgment has now been given in the first case brought under the Companies Act 2006 - an ex-director had been accused of breaching his fiduciary duties after setting up in competition. So what happened?
As you’ve had a number of complaints about your rule which requires staff to wear a hard hat at all times, you’ve been looking for an alternative option. Is there anything suitable you could try?
Do we have to report cases of RSI to the HSE?
One of your staff has been complaining for a while about aching arms which she says is caused by work. Now she’s told you that she has repetitive strain injury and that you have to report it to the HSE. Is this true?
Recently, a 100kg pane of glass fell from the Alexandra Tower development in Liverpool. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the local council has taken enforcement action. What can be learned from this case?
The HSE has recently announced that its inspectors and those from local authorities will be completing 3,000 inspections focused on LPG installations. If your site could be on the HSE’s list, you need our new LPG checklist.
Yet another reversing vehicle fatality
Both a council and a contractor have been heavily fined following the death of a worker on a road maintenance project. How did the accident happen and what steps should have been taken to prevent it?
Do you need software to manage legionella?
You’ve recently been offered a software package that’s supposed to help you to manage the risks associated with legionella bacteria. Do you need a product such as this, or are there better options available?
The latest campaign to hit the HSE’s website is focused on employee involvement. How will it play out and is there anything in it for you?
Holiday home regime not quite dead
April 5 2010 was the end of the road for the preferential tax status of property rented out as a holiday home. But there’s still a chance to virtually cut your Capital Gains Tax bill in half using the old rules; what is it?
Using a bond to leapfrog higher tax rates
Finally, the much talked about 50% rate is here and it looks like we’ll be stuck with it for a while. But assuming that tax rates will fall in future, is there a way to ride out the higher rate storm until that time comes?
Are two (employees) cheaper than one?
You’re looking to take on another employee but it’s proving difficult as it’s not exactly a high flying role. A colleague reckons the job might better suit two part-timers, with the added benefit that it would save you on PAYE costs. Is he right?
Can you now claim VAT on entertainment expenses?
A ground-breaking decision by the EU Advocate General might lead to the Taxman having to rethink his rules on entertaining expenses. Currently, you’re not allowed to reclaim VAT on these; how might this change?
Stamp duty nil rate band doubled - but not for everyone
Mr Darling reckons that doubling the Stamp Duty Land Tax nil rate band will give a boost to the property market. He could be right, but his proposal comes with plenty of strings attached. What are they and is there a way to cut them?
Mr Darling’s pre-election Budget was expected to be a damp squib. But there were a few significant changes for businesses; here’s our view on them.
In an unexpected move by the Chancellor, the annual investment allowance (AIA) has been increased by 100%. The new limit applies from April but transitional rules will stagger the increase. How will this affect the amount you can claim?
Employees fiddle £2.1 billion in expenses
Research has revealed that employers reimburse their staff nearly £9 billion in expenses every year. But £2.1 billion of that comes from fraudulent claims, which their colleagues turn a blind eye to. How can you combat this problem?