2018 -
February
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH - 28.02.2018
Questionable kitchen cleanliness
Your role involves overseeing a small catering operation and you’re concerned that it seems unclean. The manager says that what you’re seeing is normal for a busy kitchen, but should you trust your instinct?
PRODUCT SAFETY AND STANDARDS - 28.02.2018
New product safety agency on the way
The government has announced that there will be a new product safety agency after a report decried the effectiveness of the product recall system. What has prompted this and what will be the agency’s role?
WORK AT HEIGHT - 28.02.2018
Why was fine cut by £400,000 on appeal?
The Court of Appeal has slashed a £700,000 fine following a company’s successful appeal. What were the circumstances of the case and why was the penalty reduced?
CONSTRUCTION - 28.02.2018
All change for competency cards
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is to withdraw from its role as administrator of the construction skills certification scheme (CSCS). What’s to know?
LEGIONELLA - 28.02.2018
Do you have an evaporative cooling system?
The HSE has published its internal guidance for inspectors outlining the action they should take when visiting premises with evaporative cooling systems. Why is this equipment being targeted and what does the document contain?
WORKPLACE TRANSPORT - 28.02.2018
Vulnerable worker injured in vehicle collision
A worker with a learning disability suffered serious injuries when he was hit by a reversing 17-tonne dust cart. How was this allowed to happen and what could have been done to prevent it?
WORKPLACE - 28.02.2018
Near miss led to £45,000 fine
A construction company whose workers dropped a roller shutter door during maintenance work has found itself in court despite the fact that no one was injured. What happened and why?
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS - 27.02.2018
Millions to get more day-one rights?
In February 2018 the government announced that it will soon be granting millions of workers new day-one employment rights. Should you be worried?
SSP - 27.02.2018
Do your employees know what SSP is?
Many smaller employers pay statutory sick pay (SSP) only during sickness absence. However, it seems that many employees don’t know what SSP is or how long it will last for. What are the rules?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 27.02.2018
Fixed-term contract employee wins unfair dismissal
In Royal Surrey County NHS Foundation Trust v Drzymala 2018, the employee had been hired on a fixed-term contract (FTC). When it wasn’t renewed she successfully claimed unfair dismissal. How was this possible?
EMPLOYMENT STATUS - 27.02.2018
Offering an unpaid internship: what’s the problem?
A prominent MP has come under fire for offering an unpaid internship at his Parliamentary offices. This is certainly a good opportunity for someone to gain work experience, but what’s the potential problem here?
RIGHT TO WORK - 27.02.2018
Right to work checks on long-standing employees?
By law, you must ask all potential new employees to produce documents that prove they have right to work in the UK. But what about your long-standing employees. Must they produce documents proving their right to work too?
GRIEVANCES - 27.02.2018
A new but repetitive grievance
An employee has raised a grievance which is their second in three months. Having read it, you’ve noticed that it simply repeats issues which were settled following their earlier complaint. How should you handle the situation?
CORPORATION TAX - 23.02.2018
Tax relief increases from 1 January 2018
In December 2017 the government announced that it was increasing corporation tax incentives for large companies to undertake research and development from 1 January 2018. What has it done, and why is it potentially important for your SME clients too?
VAT - 23.02.2018
Managing tax points to create cash-flow benefits
The exact time that VAT becomes payable to HMRC in relation to a supply depends on when the tax point is. How could your clients change their invoicing habits to delay this and improve cash flow?
IN THIS ISSUE - PENSION PLANNING - 23.02.2018
Getting a pension to go much further
Pensions freedom means that your clients are no longer shepherded towards buying an annuity with their accumulated funds. You have several clients who are still working but approaching retirement age - how do you help them make the most of their money purchase pension savings?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 23.02.2018
Self-employed NI in 2018/19 - what will your clients pay?
Proposed changes to the way self-employed clients pay NI contributions have been delayed until April 2019. What opportunities does this open up for your clients to take advantage of, and are there any who will lose out?
ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEME - 23.02.2018
What are the latest changes to the EIS?
A number of changes to the enterprise investment scheme are coming into effect later in 2018. How will these make access to the relief more difficult, and what advice can you give to clients that might be affected?
ACCELERATED PAYMENTS - 23.02.2018
What can you do about an accelerated payment notice?
A number of tribunal wins for HMRC in 2017 related to anti-avoidance could mean that your clients receive an accelerated payment notice. What should you do to best advise them if this happens?
PENALTIES - 23.02.2018
Did your client have a reasonable excuse?
With the 2016/17 filing window having recently closed, you may receive some penalty notifications for clients who didn’t file on time. When can they appeal on the basis of having a reasonable excuse?
STAMP DUTY LAND TAX - 23.02.2018
Avoid a cliff edge for first time buyers
A new relief for first-time buyers was announced at the 2017 Autumn Budget, aimed at helping people onto the property ladder. The way the relief works creates a cliff edge if the price exceeds £500,000 - how might your clients avoid this trap?
VEHICLES - 22.02.2018
Moving away from diesel
The RAC has completed research which identified that many businesses are considering switching from diesel vehicles. Are they right to be considering this or should they stay put for the time being?
WASTE - 22.02.2018
Landfill tax added as a penalty
A consultation on waste has concluded that any business caught handling waste illegally should be forced to pay landfill tax as well as fines. How could you be affected by this?
WASTE - 22.02.2018
Fine for lack of waste transfer notes
A small business that failed to produce waste transfer notes has been prosecuted and told to pay £4,000 for breaching duty of care rules. What can you do to avoid a similar problem?
PACKAGING - 22.02.2018
Offsetting plastic
It is now possible to calculate and offset your plastic footprint. What does this process involve, is there any value in it and is it something that you should consider looking into?
ENERGY - 22.02.2018
Compressed air systems
Many businesses require the use of air compressors, but if they are not managed correctly both money and energy can be lost. What can you do to prevent this from happening?
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - 22.02.2018
It’s all part of the plan
The government has published its 25 year plan to tackle environmental issues. What are the highlights and how might you be affected?
VEHICLES - 22.02.2018
London boroughs insist on going ultra-low
From March 2018, drivers of conventional vehicles will be unable to enter certain areas of the London boroughs of Hackney and Islington. Is this trend likely to extend to the rest of the capital, and what are the specific rules?
PERSONAL WEBSITE - SITE ANALYSIS - 15.02.2018
Inspecting your website visitors
Google Analytics clearly tells you who the visitors to your website are and how they behave. However, to obtain more detailed information, you will have to use other tools.
SOFTWARE & WEB SERVICES - GRAPHIC DESIGN - 15.02.2018
What are vector images?
There are two methods of creating digital images, e.g. logos: as “vector images” or “raster images”. What’s the difference and why is this technical distinction important?
WEB SERVICES - SOCIAL MEDIA - 15.02.2018
Manage your social media more efficiently
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube… there are dozens of platforms on which you can be active as an entrepreneur. How can you manage your social media more efficiently?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COLLABORATION - 15.02.2018
Remote brainstorming
Using Stormboard, you can review and discuss your new business ideas with others, both in your browser and via a mobile app. Is this online brainstorming tool something for you?
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 15.02.2018
Do macros make life easier?
Do you often perform the same tasks in Word or Excel? How can the macro function that both programs are equipped with help you to perform repetitive tasks automatically?
BUSINESS - CHALLENGES - 15.02.2018
Looking ahead after Brexit
SMEs will feel the impact of Brexit, regardless of how negotiations end. We look at the issues highlighted by the CBI and others.
ENTERTAINMENT - BOOKS - 15.02.2018
Listen to your books
You’re familiar with Spotify and Netflix as the popular streaming services for music and films respectively. However, did you know there are similar services for audiobooks? How useful are they and what options do they offer?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COMMUNITIES - 15.02.2018
An attractive company page on LinkedIn?
A LinkedIn page for your business provides you with an extra channel for your professional activities. But how can you make your Company Page stand out from the crowd?
SOFTWARE - APPS - 15.02.2018
Image recognition for smarter apps
“Artificial Intelligence” will eventually make all our mobile devices smarter. A first example are apps which assist you through image recognition. Which of these apps are useful already?
E-MAIL - WEBMAIL - 15.02.2018
Extra e-mail tools for Chrome
Do you frequently use a webmail application in your Chrome browser? Here are some free extensions for Chrome which add useful extra functions to manage your e-mail.
PENSIONS - 15.02.2018
Changes to auto-enrolment
From 6 April 2018, you need to ensure that you implement the latest round of changes to the auto-enrolment regime for workplace pension schemes. What are they?
CONTRACTS - 15.02.2018
Should you have a garden leave clause?
If, when an employee resigns or is dismissed, you want them to stop performing their job duties but keep them for their notice period, you should insert a garden leave clause into employment contracts. When and why should you use this clause?
DATA PROTECTION - 15.02.2018
GDPR - are you ready?
With the threat of hefty fines for data protection breaches from 25 May 2018, what should you be doing now to kick start your GDPR preparations?
REWARDS - 15.02.2018
Is salary enough?
How can you retain and reward employees to compete with larger organisations and other competitors? Are today’s employees driven by salary alone or can you attract and retain talent with a wider rewards package?
WORKING TIME - 15.02.2018
Compensatory rest break must be 20 uninterrupted minutes
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that an uninterrupted 20-minute rest break is a must for workers who work more than six hours per day, whether that’s a rest break or compensatory rest. Does this mean they both must have the same characteristics?
GRIEVANCES - 15.02.2018
Tackling tricky grievance scenarios
When conducting a grievance investigation or grievance meeting, you might encounter several problems. What are the main tricky issues that could arise and how should you tackle them?
TRAVEL - 15.02.2018
Travelling first class with a little help from HMRC
Your firm has a policy that all business travel must be standard or economy class. If, at your expense, you decide to upgrade your train journey to first class so you can work en route, can you claim a tax deduction for the extra cost?
VAT - 15.02.2018
Buying goods for personal use can save VAT
You’re buying new IT equipment, mainly for use at home, but it will occasionally be used for work. Can you reclaim the VAT on the cost and is there any advantage in doing so?
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SCHEME - 15.02.2018
Construction work, joint contracts and tax deductions
You employ workers to provide property maintenance to private clients which means it isn’t caught by the construction industry scheme (CIS) rules. But as you’re taking on a joint project with a building firm, can you avoid the CIS?
INVESTIGATIONS - 15.02.2018
New powers for HMRC
A new law allows government departments to investigate your financial affairs if they can’t see where your wealth came from. Does this mean HMRC can now go fishing in your tax records when it wants to?
GIFTS - 15.02.2018
Giving away shares can pay
You inherited a few small shareholdings a while ago. They bring in tiny dividends but tons of paperwork, such as annual accounts. You could sell them, but this means more hassle and costs. Is giving the shares away a tax-efficient solution?
CORPORATION TAX - 15.02.2018
Unpaid invoices - are you missing out on a tax deduction?
Your accountant has asked you about bad debts for the latest accounts. There are a number of small overdue amounts on your books which you’ve previously ignored. Can you claim tax relief for these, and if so, how much?
PROPERTY - 15.02.2018
Rent-a-room relief and absent landlords
Your work is about to take you away from home for a long stretch. You’re thinking of taking in a lodger who can keep your place secure and, as a bonus, will pay you some rent. As you’re not living at home can you claim rent-a-room relief?
TAX - SELLING A BUSINESS - 13.02.2018
Avoiding the buy-now-pay-later tax trap
You’ve agreed to sell your business to your employees. You and they are keen to keep the arrangements simple, the trouble is they can’t afford to pay all at once. If you agree to instalments will this cause any tax problems?
TAX - PROFIT EXTRACTION - 13.02.2018
Directors’ bonuses - when can you take them?
Good profits don’t always translate to cash in the bank. So if you want to reward yourself and the other directors for a successful year, how can you do so if there’s not enough money and whilst maximising tax efficiency?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 13.02.2018
Gel up to cut sickness absence
The number of days the average employee takes off sick is at its lowest level since records began. However, that’s not the case at your business - especially in winter. What can you do about it?
TAX - MAKING TAX DIGITAL - 13.02.2018
Want to give MTD for VAT a go?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) isn’t scheduled to start until April 2019, but HMRC is asking businesses to try it a year early. Should you give it a go or avoid it like the plague?
ONLINE MARKETING - 13.02.2018
Fake reviews still in the news
Competition for business is fierce, so much so that competitors can take to posting fake negative reviews on your website. How can you protect against this type of practice?
ILLEGAL WORKING - 13.02.2018
20 directors disqualified over right to work checks
20 directors have been disqualified for at least six years because they failed to ensure that their companies were carrying out adequate right to work checks. What are you required to do by law?
SSIP ACCREDITATION CHECKLIST - 09.02.2018
What information do you need to get together?
If you work on sites controlled by others, you may be asked to go through a Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) accreditation process. Use our new checklist to help you.
HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT - 09.02.2018
Manager denied he was in charge
A senior manager of a roofing company tried to stop the HSE from charging him with neglect by denying his managerial status. What happened and what was the outcome for the manager’s employer?
EVENT SAFETY - 09.02.2018
Is a trampolining day a safe staff treat?
Flip Out UK, which operates 20 trampolining centres in the UK and promotes itself for both personal and corporate events, has made the decision to remove an attraction called the tower jump. What’s the story?
WORKPLACE - 09.02.2018
Visitor fell into inspection pit
The London Borough of Lewisham has been found guilty of safety charges after a visitor fell into a vehicle inspection pit. What should the local authority have done differently?
WELFARE - 09.02.2018
Make sure welfare is in order
A recent survey has identified that on-site welfare facilities often aren’t up to scratch. What are the potential implications?
HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT - 09.02.2018
Going overboard with health and safety?
Some of your staff are complaining that you’re going overboard with health and safety. A regular comment is that others don’t waste their time with pointless rules and regulations. How do you deal with these remarks?
FIRE - 09.02.2018
Fire extinguishers recalled
170,000 fire extinguishers have been recalled by Kidde due to fears that they may fail to work in an emergency. Which models are affected and what should you do if you have one of these products?
MATERNITY - 09.02.2018
Maternity rights made simple
For some employers processing maternity pay and leave is as common as paying overtime, but for others it’s a rare event. So rather than saying “congratulations” through gritted teeth, what do you actually need to know?
EQUAL PAY - 09.02.2018
Do you have a gender pay gap?
It’s only a matter of weeks before all employers with 250 or more workers must publish their gender pay gap data. What does publication entail?
CHILDCARE VOUCHERS - 09.02.2018
All change for childcare in April 2018
Are you up to speed with the changes to childcare vouchers due in April 2018, for example that such schemes will close to new joiners? Will the alternative (Tax-Free Childcare) make a dent in your reward policy and your finances?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 08.02.2018
Answering the phone was disability discrimination
In a 2017 case the employee who had a hearing-related disability regularly answered the telephone. Due to a mistake made by the employer, he was able to claim disability discrimination. Why was this?
DRESS CODES - 08.02.2018
Is a “must be clean shaven” rule legal?
According to the latest statistics, at least 61% of 18-39-year-old men have a beard or moustache. But what if you think facial hair looks unprofessional - can you insist that male employees shave?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 08.02.2018
Can you please keep my name out of it?
One of your employees has quietly tipped you off about a serious problem. However, having disclosed the details, they’ve asked that you keep their name out of it. How should you respond to this request for confidentiality?
TAX - 08.02.2018
Tax changes to PILON payments
On 6 April 2018 changes will be made to the tax treatment of payments in lieu of notice (PILONs). What do you need to know?
WORKING TIME - 08.02.2018
Can a 20 minute rest break be split in two?
All workers have a statutory right to a rest break of not less than 20 minutes when they work more than six hours. Can that break be taken as two lots of ten minutes or would that breach the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR)?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 08.02.2018
Resignations during disciplinary proceedings
An employee who is currently going through your disciplinary process for misconduct has offered to resign in return for you giving them a “clean” reference. Must you accept this deal or not?
