2012 -
August
FIRE SAFETY - EVACUATION - 28.08.2012
Do you need “evac” chairs?
You’ve heard that if you employ staff with impaired mobility, you should have evacuation chairs so that they can be carried out of your premises in the event of an emergency. Is this really the case?
CONSTRUCTION - 28.08.2012
HSE’s Construction Division Plan 2012/13
Construction still tops the bill when it comes to serious work-related accidents, so it’s not surprising to hear that HSE inspectors will be continuing to target their resources in this sector. What’s their plan for the coming year?
LEGISLATION - 28.08.2012
HSE to review Approved Codes of Practice
The HSE has opened up a consultation on proposals for the revision, consolidation or withdrawal of its Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs). Why is it doing this and what is it trying to achieve?
FIRE DOORS - 28.08.2012
Are fire door seals still necessary?
You’ve heard that fire safety requirements have recently changed so that from now on the authorities can’t make you fit extra seals to fire doors. What’s the story?
SMOKING - 28.08.2012
Do you need to stop staff from smoking in vehicles?
You’ve put up no smoking signs in company vehicles as you’re required to, but your staff just ignore them. You’re fully aware that as soon as they’re off the premises, they light up. What can you do?
ENFORCEMENT - 28.08.2012
Fee for intervention gets go ahead
The HSE has announced that from October 2012 it will be charging for its inspectors’ time. How is this going to work and can you avoid a bill?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 28.08.2012
Is there a link between breast cancer and shift work?
You’ve heard that female workers who carry out a large number of night shifts are more at risk from breast cancer than other members of staff. Is it true, and if so, do you need to limit the number of nights worked?
OUTPUT VAT - MOTS - 28.08.2012
VAT due on an MOT?
The VAT position of MOTs can be rather confusing - some garages charge it and some don’t. To add further confusion some charge VAT on just part of the MOT fee! So what’s the real position?
FLAT RATE SCHEME - 28.08.2012
Do your sums before joining the flat rate scheme
If you’re thinking of joining the flat rate scheme (FRS), you’ll need to be sure it doesn’t cost you any more than normal VAT accounting would. As backdating any application to leave will be difficult, what should you watch out for?
EXEMPTIONS - 28.08.2012
Exempt insurance commissions?
Like many businesses, you might receive commission from insurance companies from time to time. But what about the VAT? When is it exempt and when is it taxable?
RECLAIMING VAT - 28.08.2012
Can we get it all back?
Just because your business is charged VAT it doesn’t mean you can automatically claim it back. Certain things are generally excluded from VAT recovery plus there are some specific exceptions. What’s to know?
CREDIT NOTES - 28.08.2012
When to issue a credit note?
The law on credit notes is quite sparse and difficult to follow, but there are certain circumstances when you can and can’t issue one. So what are they and when should you bother?
LVCR - 28.08.2012
Game over for CI loophole
You’ve probably bought CDs, DVDs and games from the Channel Islands - and paid less for them than on the UK high street. But will these discounts remain? What’s the latest you need to be aware of?
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE - 28.08.2012
Have your say on the NMW!
On October 1 2012, two of the NMW rates will rise. However, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) is already considering its advice for 2013. How can you air your views before it reports to the government?
CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL - 28.08.2012
Swift action prevents a constructive dismissal
An employee has just lost his claim for constructive dismissal at the Employment Appeal Tribunal. This was due to the “swift actions” of his senior managers. Why did they make such a difference (and, ultimately, stop him winning)?
DATA PROTECTION - 28.08.2012
Equality and diversity data nets £175,000 fine!
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has just fined an employer £175,000 after it published equality and diversity information on its website. That in itself isn’t unlawful, so what went wrong?
E-MAIL POLICY - 28.08.2012
I’m sending you this e-mail... with love and kisses :-)
Like any business correspondence, outgoing e-mails should be professional at all times. But as new research has found, not all employees understand what this term means. So how can you get the right message across?
DISCIPLINARY MATTERS - 28.08.2012
Can a manager refuse to investigate?
One of your managers has been asked to conduct an urgent disciplinary investigation into an employee’s suspected wrongdoing. However, they’ve refused to carry it out. Can you insist on their co-operation?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 28.08.2012
Sickness absence right(s) during annual leave
Employees were recently handed the right to interrupt a period of paid annual leave and defer it to a later date if they fall sick, or are injured, during that time. Oh dear - is this as bad as it sounds?
TRIBUNAL AWARDS - 28.08.2012
Discrimination awards: a record high or not?
It was recently reported that tribunal awards for discrimination-based claims have reached a record high of £9 million. But pick apart the research and you’ll see a very different picture. So what’s the real story?
