8 August 2007

hr & legal

The recent EAT case of Beattie v Age Concern is a useful reminder to employers to make sure that they spell out the method of calculating pay under any sick pay scheme.

Case law update - Volunteers and redundancy: resignation or dismissal?

A recent EAT judgment considers a subject which often perplexes employers – whether employees who volunteered for redundancy should be treated as having been dismissed by reason of redundancy.

DTI becomes the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been replaced by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

Case law update - Unfair dismissal and compensation for loss of statutory rights

An employee who is unfairly dismissed will, unless reinstated or re-engaged, lose the right to claim a number of statutory employment protection rights. We look at a recent EAT ruling.

Do you understand part-timers’ entitlement to paid leave on bank holidays?

Find out how good your understanding of paid leave is by comparing yourself against one of our own lawyers. How will you rate?

Acas annual report shows decline in Employment Tribunal Cases

Acas has published its 2006/07 annual report which shows the number of people accessing employment relations good practice guidance on the Acas website at an all time high, with 2.7 million visits last year.

Disciplining with Confidence – Tuesday 4 September 2007

A half day seminar for all management and personnel who are responsible for dealing with disciplinary issues, including appeals.

Dismissing with Confidence – Tuesday 11 September 2007

A one day seminar for all those with responsibility for carrying out dismissals or advising on dismissals.

Performance Appraisal – an essential management tool – Thursday 13 September 2007

A one day practical workshop for operational line managers and supervisors

Making a false start – pitfalls of recruitment and selection – Tuesday 18 September 2007

A half-day seminar for all those in management and personnel who are responsible for, or involved at all in, the recruitment programme.

health & safety

Fatalities at work double in last year

New figures show fatalities in the workplace have doubled in the last year. Most of the 33 deaths in the year to April happened in agriculture or manufacturing industries.

Appeal decision taken on slips, trips and falls case

A recent Court of Appeal decision (Ellis v Bristol City Council 2007) has implications for complying with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 on the condition of floors and traffic routes in manufacturing as well as other premises. It applies to floors and traffic routes where there may be any kind of spillage which could cause a person to slip.

environmental

DEFRA publish consultation on the proposed EU Soil Framework Directive

On 27 July 2007 DEFRA, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government jointly issued a Consultation on the proposed EU Soil Framework Directive and initial Regulatory Impact Assessment. The deadline for responses is 19 October.

EA consults on Water Framework Directive

The Environment Agency (EA) has published consultations on the Significant Water Management Issues (SWMIs) for each river basin district in England and Wales. This is the second in a series of consultation documents on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

New Air Quality Strategy for UK

The government’s latest Air Quality Strategy for the United Kingdom has been published. Whilst recognising that UK air quality has improved considerably over the last few decades, the strategy argues that it still has a significant impact on human health and the environment.

information & research

The Manufacturer Awards 2007 - entries now open

Manufacturing has many great examples of excellence and achievement, and this exciting awards programme is designed to identify, recognise and celebrate these achievements. Is your business amongst them?

policy & representation

Weekly Policy Briefing - 3 August

EEF's weekly developments in policy & representation

training

Safe Mounting of Abrasive Wheels

A one day course to be held on 20 September 2007 at EEF West Midlands Technology Centre.

16th Edition Wiring Regulations (City & Guilds)

A five day course to be held on 3/10/17/24/31 October 2007 at EEF West Midlands Technology Centre. Places are limited for this very popular course – book your place now.

Other

People Seeking Employment

This link takes you to the job titles of people who are looking for employment and/or member companies who are making redundancies and are advertising their personnel.

Advantage West Midlands Announce Support for those Affected by Floods

In response to the impact of the flooding on the West Midlands economy, Advantage West Midlands has established an extensive £2 million Flooding Recovery Package for the region. The Recovery Package is focussed on assisting the areas most affected to become operational as soon as possible (once the flooding has receded), raising awareness that the region is open for business/ visitors, as well as assisting businesses establish individual recovery plans.