Business Update April 2007

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Raising prices "Setting your prices too high will reduce sales," warns Business Link Devon and Cornwall adviser Penny Heath. "But if you handle things carefully, you can avoid losing customers and ...Creating a code of conduct "Research shows that businesses with a code of ethics outperform those that don't," asserts Simon Webley, research director for the Institute of Business Ethics. "It's one of the tools ...Parental rights "You need to ensure you are up to date with parental rights," says Alan Phillips, employment helpline manager at Croner Consulting. "Employment tribunals make large awards against ...Q&A: Tax-efficient borrowing Stuart Rogers, corporate tax consultant at Target Accountants, tells Simon Wicks how you can borrow money tax-efficiently.I've taken out a loan to buy equipment for my business. Can I claim any of ...Counterfeit claims "Employers need to their make staff aware that falsifying expenses is unacceptable," asserts Charles Cotton, pay and benefits adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. ...10 ways to... deal with debt If your debts are mounting, you need to take action fast. Follow these ten steps to get back on an even keel Don't ignore the problem - deal with your debts now. If you ignore bills, invoices ...New DTI guide for businesses on WEEE Regulations Businesses that produce, sell or use electrical goods will welcome guidance notes to help them comply with the new laws in relation to waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) that take full ...Step-by-step Acas guide to managing conflict at work Acas has published an advisory booklet to help managers deal with conflict at work more effectively. Employers spend an average of 15 days' management time dealing with an employment tribunal ...New employer's guide to good practice and age-discrimination rules Employers will welcome a comprehensive new guide designed to help them develop good practice to comply with the age-discrimination regulations introduced in October 2006. The guide, Managing ...Have your say: improved procedures for resolving employment disputes Workplace disputes are expensive, stressful and wasteful, so the Government is consulting businesses on ways to reduce the number of disputes and resolve them earlier. The consultation, ...Have your say: implementation of the Companies Act 2006 Businesses that need to plan for the changes to be brought in by the Companies Act 2006 will be greatly helped by the Government's announcement of the commencement dates for all remaining ...Updated employee's guide for new and expectant mothers at work A new guide from the Health &Safety Executive (HSE) sets out the action employers should take to protect the health and safety of a pregnant employee and that of her child. The HSE guidance ...Case law: expired warning not relevant to dismissal When considering the dismissal of an employee, employers must be careful they do not take into account any previous warnings given to the employee that have expired. In a recent case before the ...Case law: 'worker' defined for purposes of national minimum wage Businesses need to meet their obligations under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, and guidance on the definition of a 'worker' entitled to receive the national minimum wage has been given in a ...Case law: looking 'outside the contract' to determine working relationship Businesses must pay attention to all the circumstances when engaging people to work for them as contractors, as the courts may be entitled to look beyond the signed documentation that governs the ...Reminder! Round-up of new rules in force from 6 April 2007 A number of new measures apply from 6 April (except where otherwise indicated): increased benefit rates: Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay rise from ...Shoplifters are plaguing my business... Shoplifting is the same as any other form of theft and, as such, is classed as an arrestable offence. This means you can detain a shoplifter by making a citizen's arrest. Police advise caution, ...Case study: How I manage staff expenses THE ISSUE: Creating, promoting and monitoring a staff expenses policyTHE SOLUTION: "IncrediBull employs 30 staff, 75 per cent of whom claim expenses regularly. Travel, hotel stays and client ...