Business Update January 2007
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Key links
Road safety
"One-third of road deaths each year in the UK are linked to work," reveals Tony Moore, facilities manager at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. "Beside the human cost, ...Customer enquiries
It has been estimated that poor response to customer enquiries loses an average small business in the UK four customers each year - thought to amount to some £16,000 in profit. "Most ...Q&A: Self-assessment tax returns
Tom Whitney asks Simon Littlejohns (SL), tax partner at accountancy firm PKF, how those affected should prepare for the 31 January personal tax self-assessment deadline. What are my legal ...Word of mouth
Referrals are recommendations about your services or products made by satisfied customers to others. Their power is greater than any paid-for form of marketing or advertising because they are highly ...Remortgaging to raise finance
According to principal of independent financial advisers Norwest Consultants, Harry Katz, remortgaging can be a cheap method for small businesses to raise money. "The advantage is it's cheaper ...10 ways to... get more out of your staff in 2007
Many people can lack focus and enthusiasm when they return to work following the Christmas break. So what can you do to get more out of your employees in the year ahead? Carry out regular staff ...Redundancy and compensation payments to rise
From 1 February 2007, the maximum statutory amount employers must pay for redundancy and unfair dismissal claims is to increase.
The maximum amount of 'a week's pay' for employees made ...New data protection DVD available free to businesses
A new interactive training DVD has been released to help businesses understand the Data Protection Act and ensure that individuals' personal information is effectively protected.
Issued by the ...WEEE timetable for electrical businesses now in place
Businesses that produce electrical goods now have a clear timetable in place for 2007 so they can comply with the law in relation to waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Under the ...Simplified design registration system now available
Businesses should be encouraged to register their designs, following recent changes to the law which makes the process quicker and easier.
A business's designs are an important asset and worth ...Speed limiters to be fitted on vans
All goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, including larger vans, must be fitted with a speed limiter from 1 January 2007.
The requirement for speed limiters to be progressively fitted on vehicles down ...Case law: statutory dismissal procedure must be followed
Employers risk higher compensation awards if their dismissal procedures are stricter than the statutory disciplinary and dismissal procedure, following a recent appeal tribunal ruling.
In the ...Case law: 'consumer' protection does not apply to bonus paid to employee
Employers will welcome a recent Court of Appeal ruling, which confirms that the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (the 1977 Act) does not apply to contracts of employment.
The court heard the case ...Legal Alert's outlook for 2007
A number of significant legal changes are on the horizon for 2007, and businesses should be preparing for them now. These include:
extension of the injury cost recovery scheme. From 29 January ...I want to go on holiday but I'm worried about the effect it will have on my business...
It's easy to think everything will fall apart if you're away from your business for more than a few days. But, if you take a few simple steps, things are unlikely to come to a standstill (or worse) ...Case study: How referrals benefit my business
THE ISSUE: How to generate more business. THE SOLUTION: "I set up Affinity with my business partner in 2000. Referrals have been responsible for many of the jobs we've done. "In the wedding ...