4 October 2007

Management Training Survey

We are participating in some research in conjunction with the West Midlands Regional Observatory into management training. It is only a short questionnaire and should only take a few minutes of your time.

To participate in the survey, please click the link below:

Management Training Survey

Key employment legislation affecting employers in October 2007

Find out which employment legislation will affect your business from 1 October 2007 until the end of this year.

Smoking and company cars - a guide for employers

This feature gives specific guidance on how the recently introduced smoking ban affects work vehicles. It updates our previous guidance with more detailed examples and includes a flowchart to illustrate when a vehicle used for work should be smoke-free.

Is it ever fair to dismiss an employee because a third party asks you to?

In this article we consider when it would be fair to dismiss an employee when a third party has requested you to do so. We look at reasons for dismissal, as well as alternatives to this course of action.

Survey shows manufacturers upping game on investment though concerns ahead if Banks tighten lending

Britain ’s manufacturers have significantly increased their investment performance as they strive to improve productivity and take advantage of growing world markets, according to a survey released today by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

Is your business increasing its environmental awareness, or are you paying fines

There has been a marked shift in SMEs’ awareness of their impact on the environment, according to a survey recently carried out by NetRegs.

EEF submits evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry into Climate Change Levy and Agreements

EEF believes that one of the key achievements of Climate Change Agreements (CCA) has been to move energy efficiency and awareness up the business agenda.

Water abstraction charges set for review

The Environment Agency (EA) is conducting a review of water abstraction licences across England and Wales to identify where environmental damage may be occurring as a result of abstraction.

Why work is good for you

The DWP has launched a leaflet ‘Advising patients about work’ which is designed to raise awareness of the positive links between health and work and to help GPs provide evidence-based advice to their patients.

Have you thought about involving your team in reducing on-site HSE risks?

Our new range of practical guides to health & safety and environment can help. The guides are designed to help your employees contribute to managing HSE.

To view the whole list of titles visit Think About Health, Safety and the Environment

Use our Work Organisation Assessment Tool to diagnose your business

Stress has a huge impact on employee performance and attendance. EEF’s stress-assessment tool can ‘diagnose’ your business and identify the issues, good and bad, within your workplace. You can access the tool at our custom-made Work Assessment website.

People Seeking Employment

If you are making any employees redundant, then why not take advantage of the free service we offer.

Let us have a brief note of each employee’s skills/qualifications and contact details and we will display them on our website and hopefully get them back into work.

This area is very popular with other members looking to recruit.

Please email Rhonda Hanaphy at rhanaphy@eef-westmids.org.uk if you would like further information.

We have been contacted by a member who is looking to employ an experienced skilled metalworker for their small team. If you are making any employees redundant who have experience of traditional metal working functions, such as guillotine, linishing, drilling, spot welding, cropping and engraving, please contact Julie Stepney at these offices. CNC experience, including setting and programming, would be also an advantage

Click here to view the latest resumes

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Consultation

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is currently consulting companies on how they can bring employers' training into the qualifications and credit framework.

If you would like to participate, please click the link below:

QCA Consultation

The Manufacturer Live 2007 - promoting and sharing best practice in manufacturing

The event is Britain's premier manufacturing exhibition and conference. EEF is one of the sponsors of this year's exhibition, held in Coventry's Ricoh Arena, between October 17-18.

Holiday Shutdown Survey 2008

127 companies took part in our Holiday Shutdown Survey 2008. Follow the link below to view the dates online.

> to view survey

Pay Settlements Survey 2007

Details have been collected from our members who have recently settled their pay negotiations.

> to view survey

Pay and inflation update - September 2007

EEF's monthly pay and inflation update provides our members with the latest data on pay settlements across manufacturing.

Rail White Paper Inquiry

The House of Commons Transport Committee has announced an inquiry into the government's new White Paper on Rail (Cm 7176), which was published on Tuesday 24 July 2007.