Firms urged to discourage non-genuine absence
Date: June 24, 2010
Firms have been advised to have thorough absence policies in place in order to discourage non-genuine absences.Return-to-work interviews, collecting absence data and thorough training should be use...
Default retirement age 'outdated and negative'
Date: June 24, 2010
The current default retirement age in the UK has been slammed by Independent Age.It is "outdated and gives rise to negative stereotypes of ageing and older people" said Claire Nurden, res...
IR35 'fails for two reasons'
Date: June 22, 2010
The IR35 legislation affecting freelance contractors should be scrapped after failing for two main reasons, it has been said.Enquiries into IR35 are time-consuming and can take many years, pointed ...
Default retirement age must be scrapped, says charity
Date: June 22, 2010
There should be no default retirement age in the UK, one charity has told the government.According to a poll by Age UK, nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of Brits want ministers to abolish forced ret...
Thousands more engineers needed to meet energy demand, says expert
Date: June 22, 2010
Some 500,000 extra engineers will be needed to satisfy the global appetite for energy in the next two decades, according to one industry expert.Trillions of dollars will need to be spent in the sec...
CBI calls for changes to aid labour market
Date: June 21, 2010
The CBI has unveiled a package of measures it said would ensure the labour market can sustain businesses and jobs during the recovery, including flexible working, blocking regulations and changing ...
TUC: Capital Gains Tax rates should be increased
Date: June 21, 2010
Chancellor George Osborne should increase both the rate and coverage of Capital Gains Tax (CGT), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has suggested.It has pointed out that with CGT levied at 18 per cent...
Small firms 'must protect against loss of key workers'
Date: June 21, 2010
Small firms are becoming increasingly reliant on key employees, with two-thirds saying the death of such a person would have a "severe impact" on their business, according to figures from...
Review cash flow now, businesses told
Date: June 18, 2010
Business owners have been advised to review their financial situation in light of the uncertainty facing the country's economy.Ahead of chancellor George Osborne's emergency Budget next week, Bibby...
REC: Construction workforce of the future must be built
Date: June 17, 2010
Calls by the Association of Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) for the creation of a National Construction Research Institute have been welcomed by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
CIPD: More performance-related pay needed in public sector
Date: June 17, 2010
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has suggested that the public sector makes greater use of performance-related pay.It said this would give "more bang for the taxpaye...
Chancellor 'should put small firms first'
Date: June 16, 2010
Chancellor George Osborn should put small businesses first in his emergency Budget next week, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said.The body said the difficult decisions needed to tackl...
Working time regulations 'will hinder entrepreneurship'
Date: June 16, 2010
The introduction of working time regulations for self-employed heavy goods vehicle drivers will hinder entrepreneurship, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.It said MEPs would set a...
University funding cuts 'would damage businesses'
Date: June 16, 2010
Reducing university funding would damage the nation's businesses, one industry commentator has warned.Higher education facilities have a "hugely significant" impact on regional and nation...
Chancellor told: Do not play VATman
Date: June 15, 2010
Chancellor George Osborne has been warned against playing VATman in his emergency Budget next week.The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has said an increase in VAT would cost small firms, increase tax a...
Small business leaders 'challenge the norms'
Date: June 15, 2010
Small business leaders are more likely to challenge accepted conventions of good practice, according to a new report.Staff numbers are no longer considered a benchmark of success by more than half ...
HMRC reminds of online VAT deadline
Date: June 15, 2010
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has reminded businesses affected by the new online filing requirements for VAT returns to get their documents and payments in on time.Existing VAT-registered compani...
Gov't 'must not issue damaging tax rises'
Date: June 14, 2010
Chancellor George Osborne should not issue "damaging" tax rises in an effort to bring the deficit under control, the CBI has said.This would undermine the economy's ability to grow, accor...
More engineering experts needed, commentator says
Date: June 14, 2010
Not enough young people are becoming engineering contractors, according to one industry commentator.The past two decades have seen lower numbers of young adults entering the sector than previously,...
Health and safety legislation review announced
Date: June 14, 2010
Concerns regarding the application and perception of health and safety legislation are to be addressed by Lord Young, the newly-appointed adviser to the prime minister for the sector.He is set to u...
