2019 -
September
DRIVING - 30.09.2019
Will hands-free mobiles be banned?
According to press reports, the ban on using a mobile phone while driving may soon be extended to hands-free devices. Is this true?
GAS - 30.09.2019
How to safely use liquid nitrogen
Using liquid nitrogen is hazardous - it’s extremely cold, can lead to asphyxiation and may even cause a vessel to explode in the wrong circumstances. What’s covered in the latest industry guide?
MACHINERY - 30.09.2019
Accident compounded by first aid errors
A court has heard how an agency worker’s hand injuries were made worse by a lack of trained first aiders on shift at the time. What mistakes were made and what can you do to avoid a similar situation?
WORK AT HEIGHT - 30.09.2019
Director blown from roof
Three construction companies have been fined after roofing work continued during a major storm, resulting in one of the directors being blown off a three-storey building. How should the weather conditions have been assessed?
WORK EQUIPMENT - 30.09.2019
Overseas certification for chainsaw use
One of your employees occasionally uses a chainsaw. Although they appear to be proficient, their certificate was gained outside of the UK. How should you proceed?
CONSTRUCTION - 30.09.2019
Improving construction safety by design
Those involved in construction design work have a responsibility to design structures which can be built safely. In practice they may lack the experience to do this well. Researchers are looking at ways to improve the situation. What are the options?
WORK EQUIPMENT - 30.09.2019
Plant operators have responsibilities too
A construction company has been fined £1 million with one of its employees given a suspended prison sentence after a worker was killed by an excavator. What happened?
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 30.09.2019
Make more efficient use of Word
Do you use Microsoft Word intensively? This program offers loads of options you may not be familiar with. The following tips will help you to make even more efficient use of Word.
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 30.09.2019
Monitoring projects with Trello or Caltra?
Trello takes an original approach to the co-ordination and follow up of your professional projects, while Caltra calls itself a “Trello for humans, not companies”. Which tool is most suitable for you?
SOFTWARE - ANDROID - 30.09.2019
Use two apps simultaneously in Android
You’re probably used to running only one app at a time on your Android smartphone. However, it’s possible to work with several at the same time. How do you do this?
E-MAIL - WEBMAIL - 30.09.2019
Less is more: create order in your webmail
Webmail services sometimes look unnecessarily complex or messy. The following tips will help you to reduce the overload and allow you to work much more efficiently.
LEISURE - BOOKS - 30.09.2019
Borrowing or lending books with your Kindle
Are you a Kindle user? Few people know that you can easily lend your books to others. Let’s examine some scenarios to read books on multiple devices and share them among users.
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE STORAGE - 30.09.2019
The new Dropbox desktop app
Do you use web service Dropbox to securely store and share your files? We have good news for you: it has developed a new desktop application that offers extra possibilities.
SOFTWARE - SPEECH ASSISTANT - 30.09.2019
Working more efficiently with Google Assistant
Google Assistant is becoming increasingly popular, since its launch it has been extended with many more possibilities to give voice commands. So what are the things can you do in Google Assistant?
SECURITY - PRIVACY - 30.09.2019
What are you revealing on Facebook? A checklist
Social networks store all kinds of personal data about you. Facebook does not enjoy a very good reputation when it comes to protecting privacy. Fortunately, you can do something about this yourself.
BUSINESS - TRAVEL - 30.09.2019
Airbnb: new search tools for business travellers
Airbnb has become a highly popular platform for cheap and original vacation rentals. Business travellers can also make good use of this service, and the professional possibilities have recently been made more accessible.
BUSINESS - MANAGEMENT - 30.09.2019
Conflict in the workplace
Some workplace disagreement is inevitable whatever the size of business. We’ve looked at types of conflict, management and resolutions.
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 30.09.2019
Work efficiently with PowerPoint templates
Do you have to adjust the position of your logo or colours time and again on each slide of your PowerPoint presentation? The use of a “slide master” can make life easier. How does it work?
MICROGENERATION - 27.09.2019
Are anaerobic digestion plants an option?
According to its trade association, anaerobic digestion (AD) plant installations have never been so popular. But a major river pollution incident has shone a spotlight on the technology. So is AD all it’s cracked up to be?
POLLUTION - 27.09.2019
Lead scare caused by Notre Dame fire
The roof of Notre Dame cathedral contained hundreds of tonnes of lead cladding. When fire engulfed the building in April 2019 toxic particles were released, settling on neighbouring buildings and the soil. What’s happened since?
CLIMATE CHANGE - 27.09.2019
New F gas guidance
The Environment Agency and Defra have issued new guidance to help businesses comply with regulations concerning fluorinated gases (F gases). Does this apply to you?
WASTE MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST - 27.09.2019
Review your management of waste
The correct sorting, recycling and disposal of waste is a high priority for most businesses not only because of the environmental benefits but also for the cost savings. Our checklist will help you evaluate how you’re doing.
WASTE - 27.09.2019
Suspended prison sentence for waste directors
Two directors have been sentenced after their poor waste management led to two of the largest fires the local fire and rescue service has ever experienced. What should you do to avoid the same situation?
ENFORCEMENT - 27.09.2019
Prosecution numbers drying up
Environment Agency (EA) statistics show that prosecution numbers have dropped significantly over the last few years. Why?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 26.09.2019
Unfairly dismissed for “pointing out staffing issues”
A manager who was dismissed for “pointing out problems but not finding solutions” has won his claim for unfair dismissal at the tribunal. Where did the employer go wrong and what must you not do?
MISCONDUCT - 26.09.2019
Workplace plastic = dismissal
It’s been reported that an employer has made it a disciplinary offence for its employees to bring single-use plastics into the workplace. Those who breach the rule three times will be dismissed. Is this legal?
RECRUITMENT - 26.09.2019
Interviews: can you ask about current salary?
As part of your standard interview questions you ask candidates about their current or most recent salary. However, a colleague says that this type of question isn’t allowed. Can you ask prospective employees for this information or not?
CONTRACTS - 26.09.2019
Is an unsigned contract unenforceable?
You want to invoke a clause in an employee’s written contract of employment and have dug it out to check the wording. Whilst that’s all fine, they’ve not signed the document. Does that mean the clause is unenforceable?
DATA PROTECTION - 26.09.2019
GDPR: €150,000 fine for getting “consent” wrong
PwC has been fined €150,000 after it wrongly used consent as the basis for processing its employees’ personal data. What’s the problem with relying on consent when you’re processing employment-related personal data?
TRIBUNAL PROCEDURE - 26.09.2019
Employee embarrassed by ruling
An employee has asked the Court of Appeal to withhold a tribunal ruling from the public register because the details were “embarrassing”. Can it do this?
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS - 23.09.2019
Offending words can be severed from restrictive covenants
In the first restrictive covenants case to reach the Supreme Court for over 100 years, it has held that any unreasonably wide words can be severed from the remaining, reasonable parts of a covenant. Can you now start to worry a bit less about your drafting?
CONTRACTS - 23.09.2019
Are pay secrecy clauses legal?
To prevent your employees discussing their pay and conditions with each other, you need a pay secrecy clause in your employment contracts. But to what extent is such a clause legally enforceable if an employee breaches it?
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS - 23.09.2019
Negotiating settlement agreements
Settlement agreements are a useful means of ending an employment relationship on agreed terms and avoiding an employment tribunal claim. What are the main issues to consider when drafting and negotiating such an agreement?
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT - 23.09.2019
Effective management of performance
Staff numbers are growing but you’re finding it increasingly difficult to get them to focus on the core business objectives, resulting in time lost on peripheral activities. Could performance management get them back on track?
EMPLOYMENT LAW REFORM - 23.09.2019
What’s ahead for employment law?
The government has now launched a further three consultation exercises covering various diverse employment matters. What specific matters is it consulting on and what are its proposals for employment law reform?
TUPE - 23.09.2019
TUPE - who and what automatically transfers?
TUPE applies to a “relevant transfer”, which can either be a service provision change or a business transfer. Where TUPE applies it’s important to know which people, rights and liabilities do or don’t transfer. What’s the answer?
CONTRACTS - 23.09.2019
Electronic signatures are legally valid
The Law Commission has confirmed that electronic signatures are valid and can be used to execute employment contracts, etc. What’s this mean in practice?
TAX PAYMENTS - 19.09.2019
P800 season
It’s the time of year when HMRC completes its reconciliation of taxpayer records for the previous tax year via the P800 process. What do you need to know about it and the inevitable employee queries?
STUDENT LOANS - 19.09.2019
Student loans: unravelling the complexities
As another cohort of graduates joins the workforce, some with £50,000 worth of debt repayable through the payroll system, what questions might you get asked about repayments?
BENEFITS IN KIND - BICYCLE SCHEMES - 19.09.2019
More expensive bikes now available
As cycling becomes increasingly popular, HMRC has updated its guidance to allow employers to provide more expensive bikes. What are the new rules you need to be aware of?
OFF-PAYROLL WORKING - 19.09.2019
Off-payroll - your next steps
In mid-July 2019 HMRC published the draft Finance Bill legislation that will introduce the off-payroll rules to the private sector in April 2020. What should you be doing as a result?
PAYROLL DEVELOPMENTS - 19.09.2019
What’s new for payroll?
Payroll software developers have now been told what changes they will be delivering for April 2020. What do you need to know?
PROPERTY - 17.09.2019
Making the transition from cash accounting
As a landlord you can prepare your tax accounts either on a cash basis or using the normal accounting rules (the accruals basis). If you change methods you must make transitional adjustments. What’s involved?
VAT - 17.09.2019
Did MTD pass its first proper test?
The first big test for Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV) is history. There was a fairly high failure rate but not as bad as originally feared. What lessons were learned and how might they help you overcome future MTDfV problems?
INVESTMENTS - CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 17.09.2019
Can you now claim “investors’ relief”?
A few years ago you bought shares in a new company on the recommendation of a friend. It’s done rather well and you’ve received an offer to buy your shares. If you sell, will you be entitled to investors’ relief on the capital gain you make?
PAYE - 17.09.2019
Paying a director off the record
You’ve engaged the services of a non-executive director (NED) who has experience in growing companies. She says she’s freelance and has asked for her fees to be paid free of tax and NI. Is that OK or do you run the risk of trouble with HMRC?
TERMINATION PAYMENTS - 17.09.2019
How to enhance tax and NI-free termination payments
New rules will apply to employment termination payments from 6 April 2020 meaning that some settlements will be subject to NI as well as tax. With this in mind, how can you improve the tax and NI efficiency of a termination settlement?
IR35 - 17.09.2019
Latest IR35 guidance from HMRC
HMRC’s guidance on the new IR35 regime for the private sector is light on information for contractors. If you’re a contractor personally providing services, what steps should you take before the new regime applies?
BREXIT - 16.09.2019
Act now if you want to trade with EU
Less than half the businesses known to trade with the EU have taken the necessary steps to allow them to continue after Brexit. Is your business ready?
WEB ANALYSIS - 16.09.2019
How to mine data
Are you making the most of your website? As well as being your virtual shop window your website is a mine of information that you can use to your advantage. How can you tap into the data, and what can you do with it?
TERMS & CONDITIONS - 16.09.2019
Why your T&Cs need TLC
When was the last time you checked your terms and conditions? As there are strict rules governing their fairness, it’s worthwhile carrying out a review to make sure they’re up to scratch. What do you need to look out for?
TAX - LOANS - 16.09.2019
Should you write off or release a director’s loan?
One of your company’s director shareholders wants out and as part of the deal he wants the balance of his overdrawn director’s loan account written off. What steps are needed to make the arrangement tax efficient for your company?
HEALTH & SAFETY - 16.09.2019
Getting the most from safety inspections
A colleague says that your business should be carrying out routine periodic health and safety inspections of its premises. What are these and should you really be doing them?
ENVIRONMENT - 16.09.2019
Where to start with plastic?
The small coffee shop chain that banned the use of disposable cups has lost £250,000 in sales, but now plans to introduce even more restrictions. What’s the story and what can you learn from it?
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 13.09.2019
Fast repair for Windows
Windows 10 may be a stable operating system, but something can always go wrong, causing certain functions, or even your entire system, to stop working properly. These two free tools help to solve various problems.
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 13.09.2019
Six hidden functions in Microsoft Word
You will probably be using Microsoft Word for composing letters, making quotations, etc. The possibilities of this word processor are countless, but here are some features that may be new to you.
SOFTWARE - ANDROID - 13.09.2019
How to update your Android smartphone
In contrast to iPhones, almost all of which are running the same version of the operating system, there are many different versions of Android available. How do you make sure that you have the latest version?
E-MAIL - E-MAIL USE - 13.09.2019
Change your sender name and e-mail address
Would you like to change your sender name, create one or more new e-mail addresses or ensure that your e-mails do not end up in the wrong place? The following tips and tricks will help you.
COMPUTER - MOBILE - 13.09.2019
Transform your old laptop into a Chromebook
The Chromebook is a cheap and therefore popular alternative to the laptop. As the system has few requirements, it generally runs without any problems - and for free - on older Windows laptops or MacBooks. How do you get started?
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 13.09.2019
Schedule meetings with your customers
We all have busy schedules these days. Booking an appointment or meeting with customers has become a complex task. Fortunately, there are online tools that can help you. Here are three examples.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE DESIGN - 13.09.2019
Improve your website with A/B tests
Your company’s website is a dynamic platform that you continually need to adjust and update. How can you use A/B testing to gradually improve your webpages?
SECURITY - PRIVACY - 13.09.2019
Stop e-mail tracking
Most advertising e-mails that succeed in getting through your spam filter almost always keep an eye on whether you are actually opening and reading the message. How does this work and, more importantly, how do you stop it?
SOFTWARE & WEB SERVICES - PDF - 13.09.2019
Six tools to edit PDFs
The main advantage of PDF files is that they look identical on any device or operating system. On the downside, editing PDF files is not easy. Fortunately, these six free tools can help you.
BUSINESS - MANAGEMENT - 13.09.2019
Managing a business and its people
It’s important to manage a business so that employees feel appreciated and perform to the best of their ability. Here’s some advice.
SOFTWARE - COMPUTER MANAGEMENT - 13.09.2019
Remote assistance in Chrome
Chrome Remote Desktop has long been a useful tool for remote computer assistance. However, the old app no longer works. How can you still receive or give external support?
CONSTRUCTION - 12.09.2019
Raising the bar in construction
The Competence Steering Group has published a document that details major changes required in the construction sector. What do you need to know?
ASBESTOS - 12.09.2019
The HSE indicates low confidence in asbestos removals
When the HSE was asked whether all asbestos-containing materials should be compulsorily removed from buildings, its comments gave an insight into its concerns about the asbestos removal industry. What’s the story?
VIBRATION - 12.09.2019
Updated guidance on hand-arm vibration
The HSE has recently revised its guidance document which helps businesses apply the Control of Vibration and Work Regulations 2005. What’s changed in the second edition?
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES - 12.09.2019
£1 million fine for burn injuries
A case which concluded in July 2019 concerned an accident in which two employees sustained serious burns. What were the causes of the incident and how could it have been avoided?
RACKING SAFETY POLICY - 12.09.2019
Ensure your racking is used safely
Storage racking may seem like a simple option but if it’s poorly installed, misused, overloaded or not maintained you might have a serious accident on your hands. Develop your own policy using our template.
ENFORCEMENT - 12.09.2019
Company ignored five improvement notices
When an HSE inspector uncovered multiple breaches of legislation at a manufacturing premises, she issued five improvement notices. But the directors decided to ignore them. What happened next?
CONSTRUCTION - 12.09.2019
Should you break up your construction project?
One of our subscribers has asked if they should break up their building project into smaller parts to avoid having to notify the HSE under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)?
GROSS MISCONDUCT - 11.09.2019
Is making a covert recording gross misconduct?
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has considered whether an employee will always commit an act of gross misconduct where they make a covert recording in the workplace. What did it decide and how can you protect yourself?
discrimination - 11.09.2019
“Happy Birthday” written inside condolence card
In many workplaces a group card will be sent when an employee experiences a major life event or a birthday. However, based on the experience of one employer, what should you watch out for?
FLEXIBLE WORKING - 11.09.2019
Helping employees with rail fare hikes
Commuters will be subject to a 2.8% rail fare hike in January 2020. Whilst you can help your employees by providing interest-free season ticket loans, what else could you consider?
