2016 -
April
CONSULTATION - 25.04.2016
Involving staff in your health and safety review
If you’re planning an overhaul of your safety arrangements you’ll need your staff on board. But it’s not regarded as the most exciting of topics and many have a negative view of it. How can you overcome this?
ENFORCEMENT - 25.04.2016
HSE visits fewer construction sites
It appears from figures released in March 2016 that the HSE in some regions is reducing the number of construction site inspections. What’s happened and how should you respond?
TRAINING - 25.04.2016
What training is necessary for a telehandler?
One of our subscribers has a telehandler which is used by experienced drivers. During a recent inspection the business was told it must provide formal training. Is this really necessary and if so, what’s the minimum required?
LIABILITY - 25.04.2016
No compensation for training injury
A case heard at the Court of Appeal in early 2016 established liability for injuries which may occur during physical team exercises. What happened and what are the learning points?
COMPETENCE - 25.04.2016
What’s the latest on contractor selection?
The introduction of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 confirmed that a more pragmatic approach to contractor selection should be taken. So is this happening?
ENFORCEMENT - 25.04.2016
The guidelines are game changers
An independent review of the impact of the Sentencing Guidelines indicates that the cost of non-compliance is set to rocket. What do you need to know?
COSHH - 25.04.2016
Bar serves up disaster
A case from early 2016 shows that going to the pub may be more dangerous than you’d think. Mistakes at one establishment led to a man drinking a chemical. What happened?
WASTE - 25.04.2016
Dealing with waste legally
A new campaign has identified that many businesses don’t understand their “duty of care” to ensure waste is collected and disposed of legally. What are they getting wrong and how can you avoid making similar mistakes?
ENERGY SAVING - 25.04.2016
Still missing out on savings
Research indicates that many small and medium-sized businesses are still missing out on potential energy savings. What can be done about this?
POLLUTION - 25.04.2016
Monitoring failures highlighted in court
If you carry out an activity which creates pollution, it’s up to you to self-monitor to show you’ve met your permit conditions. As a case heard in April 2016 shows getting it wrong can be costly. What happened?
RECYCLING - 25.04.2016
Increased packaging recycling goals
The March 2016 Budget included small print stating that the statutory packaging recycling targets had been revised. What’s changed and are there any implications for your business?
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - 25.04.2016
Is there value in a charity partnership?
You’re aware that to enhance their green credentials, large companies often work with charities. Is this something that’s just for the big boys or might you want to consider following suit?
GREEN PRODUCTS - 25.04.2016
Timber troubles
Research has identified that European timber laws aren’t working, which means illegal logging and other poor practices are still rife. How can you avoid buying products that may have originated from illegal sources?
TRAINING - 25.04.2016
Selling the energy saving message
Whilst changes to your building’s equipment and control systems can save energy, to reach your maximum energy saving potential you’ll need your staff on board. How can this be achieved with our new briefing?
DISCRIMINATION - 22.04.2016
Dealing with staff who impose strong beliefs
Under the Equality Act 2010 an employee must not be treated less favourably because of their beliefs. But what if a member of staff is imposing a strong religious belief on a colleague. Are you able to take any action?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 22.04.2016
Can you use Facebook evidence?
An employee has seen some comments on a colleague’s private Facebook page which are clearly derogatory towards your business. Can you use this evidence to start disciplinary proceedings?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 22.04.2016
Gain 8.5 days’ work annually with more sleep
Research shows that the average UK employee loses 8.5 days’ work every year due to poor sleep. As a result, employers are being encouraged to help their employees get better shut eye. What can you do specifically?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 22.04.2016
Disagreeing with fit note recommendations
You’ve received a fit note from an employee but disagree with the doctor’s assessment and recommendations. Are you obliged to follow what’s been said or can you challenge the advice?
CONTRACTS - 22.04.2016
Payments for post-termination restrictions
You want to prevent an employee from dealing with your customers for six months following the termination of employment. If you put such a clause in their contract and, in return, offer a specific payment will it be legally binding?
PAY - 22.04.2016
National living wage projection
On 1 April 2016 the national living wage (NLW) came into force meaning that you must now pay those aged 25 and over at least £7.20 p.h. But what’s going to happen to the NLW over the next few years?
AGE DISCRIMINATION - 22.04.2016
Stopping income protection for older workers
Some employers provide their staff with income protection (permanent health insurance). Can this benefit be stopped when an older employee reaches a particular age or must it continue until they leave?
BENEFITS IN KIND - 21.04.2016
Trivial benefits - what’s the latest?
A new statutory exemption for very small benefits provided to employees is now available to simplify your clients’ reporting. Whilst this is valuable, what traps do you need to be aware of for your smaller clients?
CORPORATION TAX - 21.04.2016
Loan accounts - can you repay them efficiently?
The 2016 Budget saw an increase in the tax charge applied to close company loans and overdrawn directors’ loan accounts arising after 6 April 2016. What will this mean for your clients and how should you advise them?
STAMP DUTY LAND TAX - 21.04.2016
Claiming back the higher charge
The new additional stamp duty land tax surcharge of 3% applies to purchases of second residential properties from 6 April 2016. When can your clients claim a refund, and how do you do this?
TAX PLANNING - 21.04.2016
Can making investments via a company still be beneficial?
How can a company with investment business status secure favourable treatment? Following measures introduced in 2015 and 2016, is holding investments through a limited company still a tax-efficient planning solution?
DEALING WITH HMRC - 21.04.2016
An alternative way of resolving issues with HMRC
Poor general administration from HMRC has caused a high level of frustration at the department for many years. There is a lesser known method of escalating specific client issues - the Agent Account Manager (AAM) service. When might this be a good option?
ENTREPRENEURS’ RELIEF - 18.04.2016
Don’t underestimate the value of ER
If you sell or wind up your business you may be entitled to entrepreneurs’ relief (ER) on the capital gain you make. What’s more, a loophole in the rules might qualify you for more ER than you were expecting. When does this apply?
INVESTMENTS - 18.04.2016
Tax-efficient ways to cash in an insurance bond
Insurance bonds are popular investments, but if you pay tax at higher rates when you encash them it can result in a large tax bill. The good news is there are simple and legitimate tricks you can use to avoid that. How do they work?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 18.04.2016
100% capital allowances extended for green cars
In his 2016 Budget the Chancellor announced that the capital allowances (CA) tax break for low emission company cars will continue, but subject to tougher limitations. How should you plan your vehicle purchases to maximise tax relief?
EXPENSES - 18.04.2016
Tribunal rules training costs were not tax deductible
An employee who underwent training for his job claimed the cost as a tax deduction. HMRC refused to allow it and the First-tier Tribunal agreed with it. What were the tribunal’s reasons and can training costs ever be tax deductible?
VAT - 18.04.2016
VAT tax points can improve your cash flow
If your business provides services under a continuous or long-term contract, special rules determine when you have to account to HMRC for VAT on the supplies you make. How can you delay this and so improve your cash flow?
PAYE - 18.04.2016
Two RTI concessions end
Employers can no longer rely on two important concessions to escape a penalty for late RTI reports. Might this affect you and, if so, how?
REMUNERATION PLANNING - 18.04.2016
Timing your salary for tax efficiency
You have various sources of income, including from investments. The trouble is that because this varies from year to year it creates unexpected tax liabilities. How can you plan your income to be more tax efficient in 2016/17?
ONLINE - LEARNING - 18.04.2016
MOOCS update
A recent article on the pace of automation stated that “online learning could revolutionise education”. We look at changes in the world of MOOCS.
ENTERTAINMENT - MUSIC - 18.04.2016
Music streaming at home or at the office
Using an audio streaming system means you can enjoy your music comfortably and in high quality via external loudspeakers. What are the options?
CONSUMER - FINANCE - 18.04.2016
Mobile apps for your wallet
These days almost all banks offer an app for mobile banking via your smartphone or tablet. In addition, there are lots of mobile apps for better budget management and personal finance. Here’s a selection.
SMARTPHONES - ANDROID - 18.04.2016
Do you know these hidden Android settings?
The integration of your Android device with Google goes much further than you think. Did you know that - in addition to the Settings app - there’s another app to change your Google settings? How do you use it?
SMARTPHONE - PHOTOGRAPHY - 18.04.2016
Taking better photos using your smartphone
If you own a smartphone it will undoubtedly be equipped with an excellent camera. But this doesn’t automatically make your photos better. How can you improve them?
BUSINESS - MARKETING - 18.04.2016
Make smart use of QR codes
QR codes - successors to traditional barcodes - are omnipresent these days: in shops, in magazines and e-mails, on packaging, posters, etc. How do you make smart use of QR codes as a small business owner or entrepreneur?
TRANSPORT - MAPS & ROUTES - 18.04.2016
On the road with Google Maps
Google Maps is an excellent service to look up a location or plan a route. Besides, there are numerous “mashups” which make smart use of the map data and they can be very useful in specific situations. Here’s our selection.
SOFTWARE - MISCELLANEOUS - 18.04.2016
Speak to your computer
Dragon NaturallySpeaking (currently version 13) is a program that allows you to dictate texts in a wide range of programs. How useful is this and how does it work?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL USE - 18.04.2016
The dangers of e-mail
The more you use e-mail as a means of communication, the greater the odds that something will go wrong. Do you know what the main pitfalls are and how to avoid them? Here are some essential tips.
TELEPHONY - SMARTPHONES - 18.04.2016
Disposing of your smartphone or tablet
If you’ve bought a new smartphone or tablet, you will probably want to sell your old device or give it away. This means that you will have to back up and erase all your data first. How do you do this in iOS and Android?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 18.04.2016
Use the Windows 10 mail app
Windows 10 comes with a Mail app which lets you manage all your webmail accounts through a simple, touch-sensitive interface. How useful is it and how do you get started?
COMPANY LAW - 18.04.2016
PSC registers: here’s the official guidance
On 6 April 2016 it became mandatory for all companies to maintain a register of people with significant control, more commonly known as a PSC register. According to the official guidance, who is such a person?
CONTRACTS - 18.04.2016
The meaning of “without prejudice”
A colleague is insisting that the words “without prejudice” should be put at the top of all correspondence and e-mails. He says doing so will completely protect your legal position. Is he right about this?
LEGAL COMPLIANCE - 18.04.2016
Can you do away with your company register?
By law every company must maintain a physical register containing certain information about it and its directors and shareholders. However, a change in the rules means that soon this might not be necessary. What the full story?
TAX - BENEFITS - 18.04.2016
What are the new tax-free perks worth to you
A new tax exemption for perks took effect on 6 April 2016. It applies to all employees, but there are special rules for directors. What are they, and how can you work with them to take maximum advantage?
COST CUTTING - 18.04.2016
Passing on external training knowledge
Like any business, you’re always looking for ways to save money. One option is to send an employee on a much-needed external training course and then get them to train others on their return. Is this a wise idea?
VAT - 18.04.2016
VAT assessments - do you have to pay them?
Following an inspection of your records HMRC issued a VAT assessment. You’re disputing it, but the inspector is getting heavy and says that even if you challenge the assessment you still have to pay the extra VAT. Is he right?
LEGIONELLA - 15.04.2016
£100,000 fine for Legionnaires’ disease
A council has been prosecuted in connection with the death of an elderly resident at one of its care facilities. The man died because legionella control arrangements weren’t good enough. Where did the council go wrong?
ENFORCEMENT - 15.04.2016
Getting off on a technicality
Health and safety inspectors have a great deal of red tape to contend with when they try to take enforcement action against businesses. How can an understanding of this help if you receive an improvement notice?
WORK AT HEIGHT - 15.04.2016
The HSE on solar panel warpath
There are frequent prosecutions for unsafe working at height, but a close look at court listings shows that companies which install solar panels are starting to dominate the headlines. Why is this and what must you do as the client?
VEHICLES - 15.04.2016
A weekly check of your vehicles
Many employers insist that their staff complete a weekly check of their company car or van. Why is this a good idea and if you want to follow suit, how will our form help?
NEW MACHINERY - 15.04.2016
What are the risks of wood chip boilers?
Biomass boilers are becoming a popular option for those keen to reduce their carbon footprint and control fuel costs. But if you’re thinking of installing a wood chip or pellet boiler what are the health and safety considerations?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 15.04.2016
Skin protection advice from the HSE
The HSE has updated its guidance on contact dermatitis and urticaria. Might this apply to your business and, if so, what do you need to do?
FIRST AID - 15.04.2016
Don’t put others at risk
Following a major accident at Didcot power station, workers were prevented from continuing the recovery operation, even though three colleagues were missing. Why was this and what can be learned from this incident?
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 14.04.2016
Flexible working to become an automatic right?
The Women and Equalities Committee has told the government that flexible working should be an automatic right in every job from day one of employment. Is this major change really likely to happen?
DISCRIMINATION - 14.04.2016
Disability: is manual lifting a day-to-day activity?
A person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Is manual lifting a day-to-day activity?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 14.04.2016
Faked sickness = breach of contract
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has confirmed that pulling a sickie can amount to a fundamental breach of contract, giving you the right to dismiss. But what one thing must you be able to show first?
HEALTH & SAFETY - 14.04.2016
Can you carry out safety inductions in-house?
You need to include some health and safety training in your inductions for new starters. Is this something you can do in-house or must you fork out money for an outside expert?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 14.04.2016
How to handle a “Bridezilla”
One of your female employees is getting married soon. Unfortunately, she’s going over the top and won’t stop talking about her forthcoming wedding. How do you handle it?
GRIEVANCES - 14.04.2016
A grievance from a former employee
You’ve just received a written grievance from a former employee who left a few weeks ago. Are you legally obliged to deal with their complaint under your grievance procedure or not?
DISMISSAL - 14.04.2016
£23,000 for employee’s 97p mistake
A tribunal has ordered retail giant IKEA to pay an employee who was sacked for stealing a milkshake that cost 97p over £23,000 in compensation. What monumental error did this employer make?
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 05.04.2016
Keep work and private life apart on your computer!
Are you using your private computer for work-related activities or your company laptop for private purposes? This generally is no problem, but how do you best keep the two apart in Windows?
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 05.04.2016
How useful are virtual business cards?
The traditional printed business card will probably never disappear completely, but its digital variant clearly offers a number of advantages. What are they and how do you create an online business card?
ENTERTAINMENT - MUSIC - 05.04.2016
Tips and tricks for using Spotify
Do you use Spotify as a streaming music service? If so, here are some tips and tricks that will help you play your music and search for songs even more efficiently.
E-MAIL - E-ZINES - 05.04.2016
Tips for a successful e-zine
Your e-zine is an excellent channel to create a bond with potential customers. However, how can you make your digital newsletter really effective? Here’s a checklist.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - APPS - 05.04.2016
Does your business really need a mobile app?
Smartphones have become part and parcel of our daily lives. As an entrepreneur, can you make do with a mobile website only or should you offer your customers a genuine app?
WEB SERVICES - MISCELLANEOUS - 05.04.2016
Virtual sticky notes as memory aids
The web is crawling with tools that help you to keep track of your appointments and to dos. Lino stands out from the rest because of its original design and user-friendliness.
E-MAIL - IOS - 05.04.2016
Use Mail more efficiently on your iPhone or iPad
Mail is the default e-mail app on the iPhone and iPad. However, this “ordinary” e-mail app may have more on board than you suspect. How do you make this app work even better?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE PHOTOS - 05.04.2016
Google Photos can do more than you think
Google Photos offers many advantages: an automatic backup of photos you take with your smartphone or tablet, free unlimited storage space for them, easy access from any device... What more can it do?
SECURITY - BACKUP - 05.04.2016
Activate the Windows 10 built in backup feature
The built-in File History feature constitutes a simple but reliable way of making backups in Windows 10. How do you activate and use this feature, and how do you create a “system image”?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 05.04.2016
E-mail and to dos in one single app?
Task planner Swingdo and e-mail app Swingmail are new apps for iOS which let you manage your e-mail and to-do lists in one go. How do they work and how useful are they?
SOCIAL MEDIA - COMMUNICATION - 05.04.2016
WhatsApp for business
WhatsApp has over 1 billion users and is now looking to woo the business community. We’ve examined its usefulness for SMEs, its situation and its future.
BUSINESS ANALYSIS - 05.04.2016
Big data = big benefits?
You’ve probably heard the term “big data” being bandied about. But as a small business with limited resources are there savings you can make from basic analytics, or is it just something for the big boys?
HOLIDAY PAY - 05.04.2016
2016/17 bank holiday problem
If your holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March and you give employees the statutory minimum annual leave entitlement, you may need to budget for an extra two days’ holiday per employee in 2016/17. What’s going on?
CORPORATION TAX - 05.04.2016
Was Budget 2016 good for your company?
Budget 2016 contained plenty for businesses large and small to chew over. The change that will affect all companies is a further cut to the corporation tax rate. What are the other corporation tax changes most likely to impact your company?
INSURANCE - 05.04.2016
Making a successful claim
The company has suffered a loss arising from a burst water pipe in the office and you need to make a claim under your insurance policy. As financial controller what steps should you take to ensure that the claim is successful?
