23 July 2008

EEF Contact Information

We will soon be changing our email addresses so that they are shorter, simpler and more consistent.

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Pitfalls of Redundancy

Calls to our duty line indicate a number of member companies are contemplating redundancies as pressures mount to cut costs. To help consider this we provide some basic reminders.

How the new Employment Act will change the dispute resolution landscape

The statutory disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures are being repealed next April. But how much do you know about the system that is replacing them? We look at the Employment Bill currently in Parliament, and the new Acas Code of Practice which forms the centrepiece of the new workplace dispute resolution framework coming into force in April 2009.

Case law update - Constructive dismissal: what is the cause of the employee’s resignation?

In Abbycars (West Horndon) Ltd v Ford , the EAT held that once a repudiatory breach of contract has been established, (i.e a breach so serious that it is capable of bringing a contract to an end), an employee is entitled to resign and claim constructive dismissal so long as the repudiatory breach is one of the reasons for the employee’s resignation. It does not matter if there are also other reasons influencing an employee’s decision to resign.

Manufacturers welcome Tory skills proposals

EEF West Midlands has welcomed the Conservatives' Skills Green Paper which was launched today. In particular the manufacturers’ organisation welcomes proposals to reform the skills training system.

EEF insurance initiative cuts premiums by up to 46%

A new service, which rewards companies for implementing good health and safety measures by lowering their insurance premiums, has won a major award. EEF Insurance Services (EEFIS) was presented with the Broking Initiative of the Year award at the 2008 British Insurance Awards held recently at the Royal Albert Hall.

Government applauded for grasping nettle of welfare reform

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation gave its support for the government’s welfare reform proposals announced today, believing they will increase the potential number of employees available for work and reduce government expenditure on benefits, in particular incapacity benefit.

Manufacturers welcome boost to Apprenticeships

EEF, the manufacturers' organisation welcomed today’s publication of the Draft Apprenticeships Bill believing it will make a significant contribution to increasing the overall numbers of Apprentices whilst, at the same time, improving their quality.

Deferred pay settlements increase as tougher economic climate faces manufacturing

The combination of relatively low pay settlements and a rising number of deferred agreements illustrates the tougher economic conditions currently facing manufacturers according to the latest figures from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

EEF wins prestigious national insurance award

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation has won the prestigious ‘Broking Initiative of the Year’ award at the British Insurance Awards for a groundbreaking insurance scheme which has saved companies substantial sums on their premiums by rewarding best practice.

Bank must be fast out of block if economy deteriorates further say manufacturers

Manufacturers in the West Midlands accepted today’s decision to leave interest rates on hold, recognising that the Bank is now fighting on two fronts – rising inflation and preventing recession.

Management & Professional Engineers' Pay Survey 2008

The deadline for the survey has now been extended to Monday 28 July 2008. If you have not yet completed and returned your questionnaire, please return for the attention of Andrew Richards to the address above or fax to 0121 454 6745. With thanks in anticipation.

Mettis Managing Director urges companies to engage with schools

Archie MacPherson, Managing Director of Mettis Aerospace was this year’s keynote speaker at EEF’s Technology Tree Conference held in Woodland Grange Conference and Training Centre.

HMRC to close 14 offices in the West Midlands

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published the outcome of the reviews of their office accommodation in the West Midlands .

Engineering Apprentice of the Year Awards 2008

The EEF West Midlands Engineering Apprentice of the Year competition for 2008 is now underway.

The competition has three main categories of awards:

Engineering Apprentice
Company Award - both large (over 150 employees) and small companies
Education and Training Award

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Inflation Figures

Latest data has been released. Next published data available 12 August 2008.

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Retail Prices, Tax Prices, Consumer Prices.

Pay update - July 2008

EEF's monthly pay update provides the latest data on pay settlements across manufacturing.

DEFRA consults on controls on the handling, transfer and transport of waste

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a second consultation on waste handling, transfer and transport. The consultation closes on 8 September 2008. We summarise the key proposals and key issues for manufacturers.