Business Update December 2007

Key links

Political correctness at work Research by the insurance firm Hiscox has found that 41 per cent of small-business owners consider it acceptable to refer to employees as 'love'. Six in ten have no qualms about hugging a colleague. ...Getting ready for Christmas "Most businesses can do well at Christmas, but it will be particularly good for businesses that sell products or services which can be given as gifts," says Peter Nowlan, director of ...An eye on the market Innovation is at the heart of every viable business idea, but "new" can quickly lose its gloss in a competitive marketplace. Rivals will waste no time improving on your offer, and customer ...Non-hazardous waste disposal: your obligations Businesses generating hazardous waste are accustomed to following strict rules governing disposal. Since 31 March 2007, the Landfill Regulations 2003 (Scotland) have obliged firms to "treat" ...Q&A: Preparing for a tribunal claim Ron Woods (RW), assistant director of individual conciliation policy at Acas, explains how to prevent employment tribunal claims and what to do if one is made against you. What claims do small firms ...10 ways to... advertise on a budget Don't blow your advertising budget on an expensive radio advert which goes out at 3am. Spread your risk and save money by investing in a range of low-cost advertising options Use your local press. ...Potential new disability discrimination claims loom Now being heard by the European Courts of Justice (ECJ), a landmark employment case could change the law and give new rights for millions of working carers. Backed by the Disability Right ...Landmark case law: when age discrimination is justified Businesses can discriminate against their employees on age grounds, providing the treatment is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate, or fair, treatment of all employees, the employment ...April 2009 maternity and paternity rights now delayed New rules that extend statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance and statutory adoption pay from 39 weeks to a year and that give Additional Paternity Leave and Pay to fathers are unlikely to come ...New mental illness guide for employers available Employers can now use a new, online Line Managers' Resource to help them manage and support employees with mental health problems. The resource, from Department of Health initiative Shift, gives ...Case law: new arbitration advice for contract disputes Businesses with contracts that state disputes will be settled by arbitration will welcome a House of Lords decision that arbitration clauses should be treated as applying to any dispute in the ...Case law: dismissal after secret filming of "sick" employee fair A recent case gives useful guidance on how to deal with workers suspected of malingering. Following an anonymous tip-off by a co-worker, an employee off sick with long-term back problems was ...Case law: what is - and isn't - a statutory grievance Following a recent case, businesses now have more guidance on what counts as an employee's statutory grievance and would therefore trigger the statutory grievance procedures. An employee was told ...Case law: employer cannot rely on evidence after the ruling to reverse it An employer cannot rely on evidence gathered after an Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has already ruled that a dismissal was unfair. An employee accused of poaching customers was held to have ...Employers could be liable to pay royalties for staff radios Currently in court, a case is taking place in which the Performing Rights Society (PRS) is suing a car repair firm for unpaid royalties because its employees listen to radios at work. The PRS ...I'm struggling to get a bank loan... Small firms are often viewed by the banks as high-risk borrowers and find it tough to get loans at the best of times. During economic uncertainty - such as that caused by interest-rate rises ...How we prepare for Christmas THE SOLUTION: "Insideout opened its first store in Tavistock in March 2004 - we now have three stores in Devon. We sell a range of gifts and homewares, including jewellery and decorative ...