2018 -
April
OFFICE SPACE - 30.04.2018
Co-working solution?
You need to grow the business which will entail a move to larger premises. However, you don’t want to be tied into a long lease. Should you consider co-working space instead?
GDPR - 30.04.2018
GDPR: your register of breaches
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018. Will you have to keep your own register of personal data breaches from that date?
TAX - DIRECTORS’ LOANS - 30.04.2018
Can you reduce the tax and NI on company loans?
Our subscriber’s company lent him a large sum shortly before the end of the last tax year. His bookkeeper says that the timing of the loan means he and the company face a large tax and NI bill. Why and is there a way to dodge it?
PERSONNEL - 30.04.2018
Is there a legal right to smoking breaks?
One of your employees is a smoker. They claim that under working time rules they are legally entitled to have up to 20 minutes every day for their smoking breaks. What does the law say on this issue?
TAX - BENEFITS - 30.04.2018
New car and van fuel exemption - details revealed
A new tax break allows you to provide tax and NI-free charging for employees’ and directors’ hybrid or electric cars. HMRC has just published the terms and conditions of the exemption. What do you need to do to take advantage?
SOCIAL MEDIA - 30.04.2018
Is it time to not like Facebook?
Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has decided to quit all forms of social media. Why has it done this and should you consider doing the same, or could such a move backfire?
PHONES - 30.04.2018
Be smart on mobile phone deals
Many businesses take out mobile phone contracts for a fixed period that includes the cost of the new phones. However, you could be paying these charges long after the handsets have been paid off. What’s the story?
PPE - 26.04.2018
Is PPE the first or last line of defence?
Many employers work to the theory that the more personal protective equipment (PPE) they demand staff wear, the better protected they must be. Does the HSE see it the same way?
FIRE SAFETY - 26.04.2018
Spotting genuine fire blankets
You need new fire blankets but have heard that fakes are being sold online, plus there are different types available. What should you look for to ensure that you don’t get your fingers burned?
H&S MANAGEMENT - 26.04.2018
Ending the “blue tape” scourge
The HSE is concerned that employers are being persuaded to take unnecessary action under the guise of health and safety. What’s the story?
GAS SAFETY - 26.04.2018
Changes to gas safety legislation
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Amendment Regulations 2018 came in to force on 6 April 2018. How and when are these Regulations likely to affect your business?
NOISE - 26.04.2018
Should you measure noise with a phone app?
You’re concerned about noise levels in your workplace and you want to take some readings. What level of noise might be a concern, and when equipping yourself for the task can you simply use an app?
WORK AT HEIGHT - 26.04.2018
Co-ordinate works effectively
A subcontractor suffered serious injuries to his shoulder when he fell backwards from a work platform. How did the accident happen and what steps can you take to avoid something similar happening on your site?
WORKING AT HEIGHT - 26.04.2018
Airport firm’s £500,000 fine
A company has been fined after previously being served with improvement notices after multiple accidents involving transport and work at height. What could it have done to avoid this situation?
WASTE - 26.04.2018
New flat rate for WEEE compliance
The government has confirmed a new flat-rate fee for compliance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) following a consultation. What does this mean and how will your business be affected?
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS - 26.04.2018
New permit guidance and support
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued a new list of fees, permit guidance and licences. Has much changed and how might you be affected?
GREEN INITIATIVES - 26.04.2018
Should you use the Sustainable Development Goals?
You’ve heard of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but aren’t sure how they affect your business - if at all. Where have they come from and is there any value in following them?
WASTE - 26.04.2018
Burning of illegal waste
A Lincolnshire holiday park company has been ordered to pay over £8,500 after burning waste on one of its sites. Where did it go wrong and how could it have kept within the law?
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - 26.04.2018
New sector plans to boost compliance
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has launched plans that set out a new approach to regulation. How is it going about this and is it worth taking note, even if you’re not based in Scotland?
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT - 26.04.2018
Agency backtracks on permit refusal
A waste treatment company has won an appeal to be given an environmental permit for a new facility. What factors stood in its way and how were these overcome?
PLASTIC - 26.04.2018
Free-flowing water
In an effort to cut the number of single-use drink bottles, Network Rail is planning to introduce free water fountains at its managed stations. Is this something you should consider too?
COMPASSIONATE LEAVE - 23.04.2018
Considering compassionate leave requests
With an ageing workforce and families being more dispersed, requests for compassionate leave could be on the rise. How should HR professionals deal with requests for compassionate leave and what might be the benefits?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 23.04.2018
How should you address unauthorised absence?
If an employee fails to turn up to work and makes no effort to contact you to explain why they’re absent, that constitutes unauthorised absence, which is a disciplinary matter. What steps should you take to tackle an employee’s unauthorised absence?
DATA PROTECTION - 23.04.2018
Complying with the GDPR
There’s now only a month to go until the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018. Are you doing enough to ensure compliance with the new data protection provisions?
DIRECTORS - 23.04.2018
Protection against identity fraud
New regulations that aim to protect company directors from identity fraud are expected to take effect by the end of summer 2018. What will the new laws provide?
HOLIDAYS - 23.04.2018
Calculating holiday pay for workers with irregular hours
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has considered whether it’s acceptable to cap a zero hours, term-time only worker’s holiday pay at 12.07% of annual earnings. What was its decision and what are the implications if you employ irregular hours workers?
DATA PROTECTION - 23.04.2018
New data protection charging structure
The government has announced new charges for data controllers to ensure the continued funding of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). What will the charges be?
BENEFITS - 23.04.2018
How can you dismiss an employee who has PHI benefits?
Where you offer permanent health insurance (PHI) to your employees as a contractual benefit, why might its provision then make it difficult later to dismiss an employee? And is there any way around the problem?
DISMISSAL - 23.04.2018
What is the effect of internal appeals on dismissal?
If an employee appeals against your decision to dismiss them, you’ll need to arrange to hear their appeal. However, what’s the legal position where you either uphold their appeal or wish to impose an alternative penalty, such as demotion?
AGENCY WORKERS - 23.04.2018
Assessing equality for agency workers
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that ensuring equality of terms after twelve weeks for agency workers requires an individual term approach. What should you be doing in response to this ruling?
TRAINING - 20.04.2018
The new payroll apprenticeship
Since April 2017, employers with a paybill of £3m or more have had to pay the apprenticeship levy. But can the funds be used to hire a payroll apprentice, and if not, what’s about to change?
CHILDCARE - 20.04.2018
Re-open your childcare voucher scheme?
For at least the last 18 months employers and payroll professionals had been gearing up for the closure of childcare voucher schemes on 6 April. Now there’s an extension, how might you be affected, if at all?
APPRENTICESHIP LEVY - 20.04.2018
The apprenticeship levy - year two
The second tax year with the apprenticeship levy in force has just started. What are the basics of this training tax and what lessons have been learned in the first year of operation?
EMPLOYMENT RATES - 20.04.2018
Are you paying what’s due?
Lots of rates change at the start of the tax year, but don’t forget that the amounts due when you part company with an employee or lay them off are also varied at this time of year. How should you respond?
TAX CODES - 20.04.2018
New tax year, new tax codes?
Between 6 April and 24 May each year there are special rules for new starters to make sure they are allocated the most appropriate tax code. Do you know what those rules are and how they should be applied?
REFERENCES - 20.04.2018
References: OK to give an opinion?
The High Court has ruled that an employer acted lawfully when a personal opinion about a former employee was included in a reference. Does this mean personal opinions in references are OK now?
HEALTH & SAFETY - 20.04.2018
Managing an employee with diabetes
An employee has just informed you that they’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. What information do you need from them about their condition and what must you do from a health and safety perspective?
DISMISSAL - 20.04.2018
Omission from disciplinary notice costs £19,000
British Airways (BA) has been ordered to pay a former employee over £19,000 in compensation after he succeeded in his claim for unfair dismissal. What was BA’s simple mistake?
TRIBUNAL PROCEDURE - 20.04.2018
Will the tribunal reject a claim with no details?
When a claimant completes a tribunal claim form - known as an ET1 - they are asked to set out the full particulars of their case. If this box is left blank, will the tribunal automatically strike out the claim?
DATA PROTECTION - 20.04.2018
The GDPR and the right to be forgotten
The General Data Protection Regulation grants all data subjects a right to erasure. This is more commonly known as the “right to be forgotten”. Must you comply if an employee, or a former employee, exercises this right?
REDUNDANCY - 20.04.2018
Redundancy: must you consider bumping?
If an employee is put at risk of redundancy, you have a duty to look for suitable alternative positions for them. But are you obliged to “bump” another employee out of their role job and give it to the employee who is at risk of redundancy?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS - 20.04.2018
Disciplinary proceedings: how to interview a witness
You’ve commenced disciplinary proceedings against an employee who’s been accused of misconduct and need to interview a witness. How can you ensure that you get the most out of the interview process?
EXPENSES - 18.04.2018
Business entertainment mistakes to avoid
If you spend money on business entertainment you need to be wary of the special tax rules. If you don’t tackle them in the right way you could be missing out on valuable tax relief. What should you be doing?
PENSIONS - 18.04.2018
Pension relief and Scottish taxpayers
The new Scottish tax rates left taxpayers scratching their heads over how they would work with tax relief for pension contributions. A statement by HMRC provides the answer. What does it say?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 18.04.2018
Family companies - spread the profit tax efficiently
You started a company a few years ago and it’s doing well. A friend has suggested you give some shares in it to your young children. You’re thinking of going ahead, but how should you go about it to avoid trouble with HMRC?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 18.04.2018
Selling your home office - will you have to pay tax?
Part of your home has been used for business purposes and you’ve claimed a corresponding income tax deduction for the running costs. You’re about to sell your home for much more than you paid for it. Will you have to pay any tax?
VAT - CARS - 18.04.2018
Motor expenses - an unexpected VAT bonus
VAT rules for cars used in your business are notoriously strict. However, for some types of car-related expenditure they are surprisingly generous. What are they and how can you take maximum advantage of them?
INCOME TAX - PLANNING - 18.04.2018
Deadlines for joint income elections
If you own assets jointly with your spouse you can to some degree choose which of you should be taxed on any income they produce. However, there’s a strict deadline for notifying HMRC. What should you do if you miss it?
HMRC ENQUIRIES - 18.04.2018
How do HMRC’s powers of discovery work?
There are strict time limits which prevent HMRC starting enquiries into your tax returns. However, the law gives it another bite of the cherry through the “discovery rules”. How can you defend yourself against these?
MARKETING - 17.04.2018
Compare safely
A local competitor is undercutting you so you are thinking of going on the offensive by launching a comparative advertising campaign. What do you need to consider to keep it legal?
TAX - IR35 - 17.04.2018
IR35 defeat for HMRC
A tax tribunal recently ruled against HMRC in an IR35 dispute. The decision throws further doubt over the effectiveness of HMRC’s employment status tool. So, should you bother with it?
VAT - 17.04.2018
Can HMRC refuse a VAT claim for non-vital expenses?
Last year your company spent money on landscaping the space at the front of its premises. Now an HMRC inspector is asking you to repay the VAT you reclaimed. Why, and is he within his right to do so?
PAY - 17.04.2018
Do you have a gender pay gap?
In April 2018 large companies had to start publishing a report on their gender pay gap. As a small business you can ignore this requirement, but is that a bad idea? How could no pay gap be turned to your advantage?
LEGAL COMPLIANCE - 17.04.2018
Driving for work: the MOT rule changes
On 20 May 2018 the MOT test - which applies to all vehicles three years and older - will change, introducing a more stringent testing regime. What do you need to know?
IT EQUIPMENT - 17.04.2018
Recycling phones - is there a security risk?
Like most businesses you have old gadgets and IT kicking around the office, taking up valuable space. You want to have a clear out, but what’s the safest way to get rid of it?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 17.04.2018
Company perks for your spouse - are they tax efficient?
A subscriber’s company provided perks to him and his spouse. The perks were declared on their respective tax returns, but HMRC argues that they are all taxable on him, which meant a bigger tax bill. Is HMRC right?
PERMIT TO WORK - CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT - 16.04.2018
Control contractors effectively
If you have contractors on site, work must be managed so that neither your staff nor theirs are put at risk. Use our new permit to work document to help you to get work completed safely and effectively.
MANUAL HANDLING - 16.04.2018
No more manual handling training?
The HSE says that simplistic manual handling training is a waste of money. But what, if anything, should you do instead?
PUBLIC SAFETY - 16.04.2018
Pool operator finds itself in deep water
A leisure club has been fined after Wigan Council received complaints from members of the public. What was found during its visit and could the prosecution have been avoided?
STORAGE - 16.04.2018
How to inspect your racking
An industry body which advises on the safety of storage systems has produced guidance on the best practice for carrying out a pallet racking inspection. What advice does it contain and is it something you should follow?
PESTS - 16.04.2018
£1 million mouse infestation
Poundworld has received a massive fine after a customer reported nibbled biscuit packets and mouse droppings to inspectors. Why did the store receive such a large fine and what should have been done differently?
ASBESTOS - 16.04.2018
Asbestos medicals
If your staff carry out work with asbestos, they may require a medical examination periodically. How often are these needed and what’s the latest news on the subject?
FIRST AID - 16.04.2018
Appointed persons to deal with first aid
Employers are permitted to have an appointed person rather than a trained first aider in some circumstances. When does this apply, what does the role involve and is any training required?
SECURITY - ANTI-MALWARE - 16.04.2018
Free antivirus tools - which are best?
Everyone should protect their computer against viruses and other malware. There are lots of free tools around for this purpose. Which one is currently the most effective?
CONSUMER - ONLINE SHOPPING - 16.04.2018
No time for supermarket shopping
Working long hours and no time to think about going to the supermarket. We’ve looked at the supermarket options that offer flexible solutions.
SOFTWARE - BROWSER - 16.04.2018
Managing your Chrome extensions
One of the strengths of Chrome is that it can be extended by means of browser extensions. These extensions are convenient, but they may slow down your browser. How do you prevent this?
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 16.04.2018
Hidden (but useful) tips for Windows 10
Windows 10 comes with a number of functions which may not look revolutionary at first sight but which can make things simpler and more pleasant for you. Are you familiar with the following features?
LEISURE - PHOTOGRAPHY - 16.04.2018
Useful apps for your smartphone photos
Your smartphone’s default photo app comes with a number of filters. However, if you want more features, which dedicated filter and photo apps are worth installing?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL USE - 16.04.2018
Schedule your e-mails
Perhaps it’s a good idea to send out a newsletter or a commercial mailing to your customers at a more convenient time. How can you postpone the delivery of your e-mails?
SECURITY - PRIVACY - 16.04.2018
How should you protect your Facebook data?
As you will have heard, data from millions of Facebook users has been stolen in order to influence the American elections. How do you best protect your Facebook data?
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE ANALYSIS - 16.04.2018
Google Analytics enhanced
The free Google Analytics service provides a wealth of information about the way in which your customers visit your website. How can you turn this information into neat reports?
MISCELLANEOUS - DIY - 16.04.2018
Online repair kit
Has something broken at the office, your shop or warehouse and you are struggling to get hold of someone to repair it? Which websites can help you out (if only in the short term)?
WEB SERVICES & MAILING LISTS - UNSUBSCRIBE - 16.04.2018
How to unsubscribe from online accounts
Do you want to unsubscribe from services and newsletters which no long interest you? That’s a good idea, but what is the best way to do this efficiently? Here are some tips and tools.
SOFTWARE - FONTS - 16.04.2018
Choose a new font
Have you become a bit tired of the fonts supplied with, for instance, Windows 10 or MacOS? Where do you find extra fonts and how can you install and manage them?
DISMISSAL - 12.04.2018
Dealing with a drink-driving employee
In March 2018 Ant McPartlin was charged with drink driving following a road traffic collision. If an employee informs you that they’ve been charged with the same offence, is it OK to dismiss them?
RACE DISCRIMINATION - 12.04.2018
£11,000 for mimicking an accent
An employee of Caribbean origin has been awarded over £11,000 by the tribunal after his colleagues jokingly mimicked his accent on several occasions. Why was this problematic for the employer?
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT - 12.04.2018
The grieving pet owner
An employee recently lost a pet. Unfortunately, the bereavement has hit them rather badly and the situation is now affecting the quality of their work. How should you handle it?
RECRUITMENT - 12.04.2018
New employee lied on their CV - what now?
Several weeks ago you hired a new employee who appeared to have all the skills and experience you need. You’ve since discovered that she lied on her CV. Given that she’s now on your payroll, how should you play it?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 12.04.2018
Is a pre-cancerous condition a disability?
The Equality Act 2010 states that cancer is automatically considered to be a disability - this is not something that an employer can challenge. But what about a “pre-cancerous” condition - is that also a disability?
