Hit Search – Employment PFA

Disputes with your workforce are both time consuming and costly, not to mention potentially damaging to your business, reputation and productivity.

Having procedures in place to deal with conflicts which may arise with employees will help minimise any cost and potential damage to your business. Conflicts should be addressed and resolved as quickly and amicably as possible.

New figures reveal the number of working days lost through industrial disputes in the UK has rocketed in recent months.

According to the Office for National Statistics, around 374,000 working days were lost during the 12 months leading up to October 2009, with 90 separate stoppages occurring mainly in the public sector.

-Employment disputes and conflicts have a huge impact on small to medium sized businesses, not only financial but they are increasingly more damaging to staff morale and productivity. Creating a culture with open dialogue and issuing employee handbooks and contracts of employment are all steps Citation advise its clients take to create a happy workforce and limit the potential for disputes,- says Andrea O’Hare, Head of Personnel and Employment Law at Citation.

In recent months all organisations have been directly affected by the postal workers’ strikes. These account for the majority of the days lost in 2009, although there were also disputes involving council and transport workers that led to industrial action last year. It is estimated that around 200,000 workers took industrial action during the 12-month period, including 177,000 in October alone at the height of the postal dispute.

Citation can help you limit the soaring solicitor’s fees you are faced with when dealing with an employee dispute. Citation gives you the confidence your business needs to limit any associated damage and follow the correct procedures.

For further information on how we can help contact our Personnel and Employment specialists on 01625 415 500 or e-mail .

——————- Hit Search Contact
Press release produced and promoted by Hit Search. Find out more about us and our services at http://www.hitsearchlimited.com. Tel: 0845 643 9289

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As 2010 gets into full swing, there is set to be a substantial review of the UK’s employment law regulations over the next 12 months. Further to last week’s article, Southampton solicitors Trethowans bring you another five changes to employment law expected to be made by the Government in the coming year:

1.Independent Safeguarding Authority
From November, new workers who wish to work with children or vulnerable adults will need to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), who will work in partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to prevent unsuitable people from working in such environments.

2.Renewed Union Rights Regarding -Blacklisting-
The Government has outlined a number of proposals making it illegal for a company to sack, or refuse employment to a worker based on appearing on a -blacklist- due to their union memberships. The proposals also allow workers or their unions to pursue legal action against those who use, compile or distribute blacklists. The regulations will come into effect in the spring, pending approval by Parliament.

3.Sick Notes to be Replaced With -Fit Notes-
Under the Social Security and Statutory Sick Pay Amendment Regulations, doctors can state whether an individual is able to fully carry out their work, some work, or no work at all. The law, when introduced in April, will also allow doctors to state whether an employee could return to work under altered circumstances, such as reduced hours, amended duties, or adaptations to their working environment.

4.Reduction in Unfair Dismissal Compensation
The overall compensation award for dismissals on or after 1st Feburary will fall from 66,200 to 65,300, while the daily compensation award limit will fall from 21.50 to 21.20

5.Time to Train Initiative
This new scheme gives employees the legal right to request time off for training, under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act. However, employers are within their rights to refuse requests if it can be proven that the employee taking the time off would be detrimental to the business. It will become law for businesses with more than 250 employees in April, with the scheme being extended to cover all businesses 12 months later.

For more information about Trethowans and the services they offer, call 0845 302 4695, or visit the Trethowans website at http://www.trethowans.com/.

——————- Company Description
Trethowans LLP has over 130 people, based in our offices in Salisbury and Southampton. We advise both individuals and businesses, including international groups, national chains, household brand names, major regional businesses, owner-managers, entrepreneurs and SME businesses. Five of our six teams that advise business clients are highly rated by the two independent guides to the legal profession, Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and the Legal 500.

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——————- Hit Search Contact
Press release produced and promoted Hit Search. Find out more about us and our services at http://www.hitsearchlimited.com/. Tel: 0845 643 9289

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Citation Employment Law Over 300,000 Working Days Lost Due to Disputes Last Year