In the HR news ...

FURTHER CHANGES TO STATUTORY HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT

In our May Newsletter we let you know that statutory holiday entitlement (paid holiday including 8 public/bank holidays) was changing from 20 days to 24 days on 1 st October 2007 and 28 days on 1 st October 2008 .

The new change is that the increase to 28 days has been postponed until 1st April 2009 . The increase to 24 days is still to be effective from 1st October 2007 .

Action Point

Where you already pay for Bank holidays or have decided to implement the 28 days from 1 st October 2007 this will not affect you. If you are choosing to implement the changes in 2 stages you may like to consider consulting with your staff to advise them that the 2 nd change will not happen until 1st April 2009 .

INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION

This is a reminder to those of you who employ 50 or more people. From April 2008 these regulations require you to establish arrangements for informing and consulting employees if requested by 10% of the workforce.

Action Point

If you have any concerns about this forthcoming legislation please contact JCV Consulting to discuss the right course of action.

CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER LAW

This will become effective from 6 th April 2008 . It will make it easier to prosecute employers when fatalities occur at work. It won't hold Directors and Senior Managers personally accountable but Companies found guilty will face unlimited fines and may be compelled to make details of their conviction public.

Individuals can still be prosecuted for manslaughter under common law and the Health and safety at Work Act 1974.

Action Points

We recommend that you:

• Review your Health and Safety policy regularly and make sure the Company has a ‘safety culture' 
• Appoint and train a Director or Senior Manager to be responsible for ensuring health and safety in the Company 
• Do not ignore it if an employee raises a safety concern with the Company 
• Contact JCV Consulting if you have concerns in this area

STATUTORY DISPUTE PROCEDURES - UPDATE

The wheels of Government can be exceedingly slow sometimes and so it is with this. We still have the 3 stage process as the cornerstone of dealing with disputes – informing employee of issue, holding a hearing and providing an appeal mechanism.

The idea of mediation is still being considered as an alternative but nothing definite has emerged yet.

Action Point

Continue to use the statutory format when dealing with formal disciplinary or grievance issues.

Minimum Wage Rises

Don't forget the minimum wage is going up on 1st October 2007 :

• Adult rate - £5.52
• Development rate £4.60
• 16 &17 yr olds - £3.40

Managing Performance/Coaching Workshop

Thank you to all those who said YES, you would like a workshop on Managing Performance and Coaching. This course has been organised for 3 rd October at Allendale House, Wimborne for

£99.99 including lunch. A discount can be offered if you register before 17 th September. Places are filling up quickly so if you think you could benefit from a more effective work force please ring or email to book your place.

Action Point

Do you want to attend this workshop? Email or call JCV Consulting to find out more and book your place.

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