Employment Law for Small Businesses – Your Questions Answered

As the owner of a small business, it can seem daunting to keep track of all the changes to employment law. To ensure your company doesn’t fall foul of the employment law for small businesses, there are a few key areas in which you need your knowledge to be up-to-date.

1) Pay
Conservative MP Phillip Davies came under fire in June 2011 for suggesting that disabled workers should earn less than minimum wage. Naturally, this caused outcry amongst politicians on all sides of the fence. But it did raise some important questions about minimum wage.

While you are loosely at liberty to pay your workers whatever you like, it must comply with minimum wage. Minimum wage is dependent on age and currently stands at £4.98 for 18-20 year olds, and £6.08 for workers aged 21 and over.

As well as making sure your pay rates comply with the national minimum wage, you need to keep them fair across the whole business. This involves offering a wage based on the job and position within the company, not a persons gender.

2) Discrimination
The Equality Act 2010 looks at every aspect of discrimination – from hiring to firing. As a small business owner it is vital you are up to date with the latest equality and diversity legislation.

Discrimination can be present in two forms; direct and indirect. Direct is not hiring someone because of their race or gender. Indirect discrimination is applying an unnecessary condition to employment e.g. you have to be over 6ft tall, excluding many women.

As the owner of a small business, you are also liable for any third party discrimination that takes place. Whether it is your employees or clients making sexist or racist jokes, you are responsible in an employment tribunal.

3) Working Hours and Leave
Ensuring you comply with legal restrictions in terms of employees’ working hours and leave is important for any small business. Failing to do so could lead to costly employment tribunals and a negative reputation.

Make sure your employees work fair hours, and take regular breaks from computers. They are also entitled to fair holidays, sick pay and leave. This can include taking a day off to attend a funeral or nurse a sick dependent. You are also legally required to seriously consider requests from employees regarding flexible working patterns.

4) Sickness and Sick Pay
There is plenty of guidance and strict laws around sick leave and pay. It is important to strike the balance between treating sick employees fairly, and monitoring occasions where ‘sickness’ is being used to cover an unauthorised absence. As an employer, you need to respect your employees’ entitlement to statutory sick pay (SSP). SSP is payable at a flat rate for up to 28 weeks for long term absence

Employment Law for Small Businesses – Your Questions Answered

 

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The Story Of Boxes And Packaging

The box, such a simple item we take for granted every time we rip open a package or mail products to someone. You would think something so simple in design as a cardboard box would have been around forever, but these brown boxes werent invented until the mid-19th century. Cardboard boxes and packaging were an ingenious idea that revolutionized the shipping industry.

What we called “cardboard boxes” are technically corrugated boxes because they are made out of corrugated fiberboard. Fiberboard is made of paper and fluted. The fluted piece of paper lies between two flat liner boards, which results in a thick, durable material suited for packaging. However, when it was first patented in England in 1856, it was used as a liner for tall hats! Corrugated boxboard was not patented until 1871 and then it became a staple in packaging supplies, but had still not taken box form. An American, Albert Jones of New York City, originally used the cardboard for wrapping bottles and glass lanterns. (Bubble wrap was not invented until 1957.)

Oliver Long improved upon Jones design, but it was a few years later that we finally saw the development of the actual cardboard box. Robert Gair invented the cardboard box by accident in 1890. He was a paper bag maker and after a little mishap with one of the machines, he realized that by cutting and creasing the material in one operation, he could create a box. At first boxes and packaging were just used for glass and ceramics, but soon after, farmers used it for shipping produce. The box quickly replaced wooden crates for shipping due to its low costs.

Corrugated board is manufactured on large machines called corrugators. They are able to produce 500 linear feet per minute. Just like any paper making process, the first step is pulping –the separation of wood into fibers. Next, the paper is softened with high-pressure steam and then dried. The fibers are bent into the appropriate thickness and put between paperboard sheets. Pressure is applied to increase its strength. Finally, the corrugated cardboard is sandwiched between two flat liner boards. Different flute sizes can be made depending on how thick you want the board to be.

Now that you have corrugated board, you need to determine what type of box design. We all know the most common square design which is called the Regular Slotted Container. But what about the odd shaped box? Packaging engineers design the shape of corrugated boxes and try to do so with as little cost as possible. Engineers do more than just design, they have to test the boxs strength, see if it can withstand high humidity, and determine if it has adequate crush resistance.

Today, corrugated boxes are essential to packaging and shipping supplies. Think of all the boxes you have opened or shipped and how easy it has made your life. You may not be aware of its significance, but it is certainly one product that has left quite an impact.

The Story Of Boxes And Packaging

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How to Observe a Storm Chaser

When a sizable hailstorm hits, akin the one that happened here in San Antonio in November, it seems like roofing contractors come out of the woodwork, but in what way or manner do you know when the pact they furnish is “too excellent to be bona fide?”

“Storm chasers,” as they are known in the business, journey from state to state doing exactly what the name implies, chasing hail storms, hurricanes and tornadoes. They swoop in, work for a couple of months patching up blemished homes and fly right back out when the next storm comes along. In the event this happens, where does it leave the homeowner when their roof leaks in two months? Well, not similarly high and dry, closer to mad and wet!

To certify you dont end up one of those exasperated consumers, here are a few tips on how to make out a “Storm Chaser”.

Remember that “too beneficial to be true” deal? The one whose estimate was thousands of dollars lower than everyone elses? Or how about the guy who pronounced he would bring his own insurance adjuster to be sure you received the maximum you were due from your insurance partnership? I particularly like the one who sees your insurance paperwork and states he will do the work for less, but charge the insurance establishment the whole they are willing to pay so you can get a kickback, thus committing insurance fraud. Most consumers in these circumstances might think they are getting a great deal, and might not even think there is anything at all wrong with any of these circumstances. Nevertheless, any one of these can lead to major trouble for the homeowner.

First, lets peruse the “too good to be true” deal. It is always a excellent idea to get more than one roofing contractor to give you an grade, and most reputable roofing contractors will not charge to take a look and give an calculate. If you have an estimator come out and give you a bid that is significantly lower than the others, a red flag should soon go up. If they can provide to do the work for that much of a discount, you can bet they are cutting corners somewhere.

Next, lets tackle the insurance cases. Always have your own insurance house send out an adjuster to analyze your roof for damage. An adjuster who is working for a roofing contractor may not always have your best interests in mind and may not come up with the exact findings your own insurance establishment would. This can be a costly mistake for any homeowner. If a partnership offers to complete work on your home at a discounted price and charge your insurance partnership a different amount, they are committing insurance fraud. As a homeowner, this can land you in hot water as well. Many celebrated companies can and do offer rebates or coupons. nonetheless, you will be charged and expected to pay strictly what their estimate says, only receiving the rebate once the work has been finished.

Deciding a roofing contractor can often be a challenging and time consuming task, but knowing what red flags to look for can give you a great quality when looking for a San Antonio roofing contractor.

How to Observe a Storm Chaser

Legal Jobs: Recent Changes in the Industry

For decades, even centuries, the jobs of lawyers and legal professionals remained pretty much the same. They were assigned a case-either to argue the guilt or liability of a certain party, or to defend a certain party-and they would question witnesses, study old court cases to find legal precedents relevant to that case, and construct an argument supporting their case. Nowadays, though, the legal profession has been going through a period of major change, as many industries have. Its quite a different world out there for those in who work in the field of law.

One major recent change is that so many laws and legal records are available online. Many law libraries, which were once hotbeds of legal research, are now virtually empty around the clock. With the Internet and new digital technologies, lawyers can subpoena text messages, e-mails and other electronic texts-which of course means a lot more reading and a lot more work for legal researchers! And many statutes have not caught up to the new technologies, which means that new legal questions arise all the time, as do new legal precedents. What constitutes online harassment or bullying? Does an employer have the right to fire someone because of something he or she posted on his or her Facebook page? These and many more unresolved questions make this a fascinating time to have a legal job.

Also, because so much research can be done online now, many paralegals, legal researchers and others in the legal field can work at home. This means a whole new lifestyle for these professionals: no more rush-hour commutes, maybe no more daycare for their kids. Many law firms use social media to help recruit new talent as well. And plenty of law offices are starting to outsource legal tasks to employees who live far away, perhaps even in other countries. And some law firms exist entirely online. This can mean substantial savings for the partners who own that firm, as they dont have to buy or lease space, or pay the utility bills and other expenses that go along with a physical office. At one time, no one would have taken an online law firm seriously at all. Now, these kinds of firms just might represent the wave of the future.

There are all kinds of other exciting changes on the horizon for those who work legal jobs. In the future, there will be more chances for lawyers in different nations to collaborate with one another on cases. And more lawyers will no doubt get involved in environmental law. Think about the recent BP oil spill, the call of many scientists to stop global warming, and the emergence of new green technologies and fuels, and youll realize that there are many opportunities for lawyers to get involved in suing polluters, in the process protecting the planet and ensuring healthier ecosystems for future generations.

Legal Jobs: Recent Changes in the Industry

Going Freelance: The Ultimate Road to Creative Independence

As time progresses ahead into the future, the pace of life is becoming faster every single day. The energy spent to survive in this world is growing higher, and it is becoming difficult to survive. The economy has taken a nose dive in the last few years which has changed the trends of business into a more conservative direction. The corporations demand more out of their employees to keep up with the demands of the business. This is a problematic situation because the human capacity has a limit, and going beyond the breaking point is harmful for health. Doing more amount of work for the same amount of money is inequitable, however many people tend to given in to the demands of their employers. They prefer to stick to the benefits that they get with the job profile which is the greatest allure to a full time job. The businesses also have certain need that puts the creativity of the employee into a small box. The limits installed by the employers can be suffocating at times which is why many people are considering Going freelance to make a living. This is an option that many people tend to avoid because the benefits that they enjoy excluding their normal wages will be absent from this path.

Going freelance is not a bad option when people consider the facts that they can choose the type of work they get, and they can ask for more amount of money for specialized jobs. This is an amazing opportunity for those people who want to go into deeper specialization in their line of work. This allows them to achieve a whole new level of skill in their line of work, and make more money per hour compared to their day job.

They choose the time frame of work for maximum flexibility in their work performance. Being a single parent is hard, and a regular day job will never allow them to take care of all the needs of their child. Many single parents prefer this option because it allows them to give more time to their children at the same time. Picking up their child from school, and visiting them at their football game becomes much easier with this line of work. Those professionals who have change their way of thinking and work habits in their life; do not have any regrets. It is all about how well they can manage work, and their personal life at the same time.

Going Freelance: The Ultimate Road to Creative Independence

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Sail the Seas With the US Navy

The Navy wants sailors to fill a large variety of U.S. military jobs today. The Navy performs Americas nautical military operations in many exotic locales around the globe. Navy job applicants need to be at least 18 years old to receive employment consideration from this military service branch. Apply online to discover Navy recruitment facilities and entrance testing locations near you today.

The Navy needs to hire seamen for the following military jobs:

• Entry-level – New Navy recruits, or entry-level sailors, perform jobs on the many boats and shore-based offices of this military branch. Entry-level duties may encompass completing cleaning and ship maintenance, patrolling coastal regions and waterways, and performing other assigned duties as needed. Navy seamen frequently earn starting pay near $1500 each month. Entry-level Navy sailors may dedicate years of service to earn wage increases and advancement opportunities.
• Professional - Professionals with the Navy often receive specialized training and complete various jobs, including mechanical repairs, reading navigational charts, and finishing maintenance and upkeep tasks, similar to tasks often found at many jobs in the private sector. Navy job descriptions and titles vary according to professional field of study, but several Navy professionals earn starting wages near $2000 every month, but high-risk military professional careers often pay greater monthly wages.
• Officer - Navy officers typically record active ships logs or oversee the completion of assigned jobs aboard ship and on land. Numerous officers with the Navy earn degrees of higher education as well as officers training before serving active duty. Officer jobs vary according to rank, shipboard duty, and time served in the Navy, but starting salaries typically begin near $3000 each month. Several rank and other advancement opportunities are available to Navy officers.

Seamen in the Navy enjoy the job benefits of quality military pay rates and excellent job training. Military servicemen and women in the Navy earn additional work benefits, including healthcare options, 401(K) retirement packages, paid time off, and numerous other perks. To find a local recruitment facility and examination building, join the Navy online now.

If you desire competitive pay and quality work benefits in your next career move, complete the Navy application form online today. Begin the Navy job application now, and you could start receiving the salary and benefits you want. Apply online to serve the U.S. as a proud U.S. Navy sailor today.

Sail the Seas With the US Navy

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Building and Projecting Your Professional Brand

The term “professional brand” is thrown around frequently these days when it comes to job searching, career advancement, and business opportunities. As is the case whenever a term begins to become trite we want to be careful that the original impact of its meaning doesnt become lost or mushy with overuse or misuse. Ever since 1999, when Tom Peters launched the use of brand to encapsulate the worker migration from corporate cog to independent provider of value, ones professional brand has built substantial importance and cache.

Part of the workplace adjustment brought on by the Great Recession has been the intense need for workers to distinguish themselves in face of heavy competition for fewer jobs. Its a buyers market for employers and to get noticed in the sea of applicants requires job searchers to communicate their worth and focus more than ever. The good news is that managing ones online presence with social media and other means allows professionals to disseminate their brands very efficiently. The challenge for many, of course, is knowing what kind of brand message to project.

It all starts with identifying your value proposition. Being able to summarize your skills, competencies, and in general, what makes you a valuable asset. Your unique value proposition serves as the basis for your brand and for how you expressive yourself using all of the communication means at your disposal. Try containing this message in a short paragraph of no more than five sentences. This will discipline you to articulate your worth economically and pointedly.

Another concept that helps you to button down your brand is to consider your personal mix of talents, experiences, aptitudes, values, and proficiencies that make you who you are. Separate yourself from the herd by letting stakeholders know the one-of-a-kind package of qualities that you are made of.

Once you have determined your professional brand you are then ready to market it. Be specific in presenting what you are good at. How are you better than your competition? What kind of mid-level manager, or salesperson, or engineer are you? Can you point to achievements that speak to your effectiveness? Getting the word out to your industry about your expertise through various web-based and face-to-face networking means increases your chances of coming out on top.

Be ready to direct and manage your carefully crafted message, especially online. Make sure that there isnt conflicting information about you that could confuse or, worse yet, turn off those searching for you. Youve worked hard making something of yourself and there is still more growing to do. You take pride in all that you have accomplished to date, so dont hesitate to shout it out loud. Your future ambitions will benefit from the effort.

Building and Projecting Your Professional Brand

Business Cards Can Help You Get Noticed

The start of a new year is always an opportunity to start getting your life in order. You assess everything, from the cleanliness of your home, the state of your car to the direction of your career.
This year, if youre beginning to question the direction your career is taking, then perhaps its time to start doing something about it and taking steps to make a difference. The key to making a difference to your career is by standing out from everyone else. Go that extra mile to contact people with regards to job opportunities and really try to get yourself remembered.
A great way to help with this is through business cards. There are plenty of ways to your own unique cards and you can really make a difference to your career by doing so.
With business cards in your wallet, you can ensure that each time you meet someone who may be able to help you in your career, you can pass them your details. They can easily be kept in wallets so that your contact keeps your details safe and can use them when he or she needs to.
Its amazing what a difference your own unique cards can make to you and your career and they could help to take your career in a completely new direction.
Graduates
Graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to get noticed and to secure a job in their chosen field. In fact, a huge proportion of people who have finished from university are working in jobs that have nothing to do with their degree; and normally they are completely overqualified for them.
So if youre a graduate, its important to do everything you can in order to get noticed. This means that you have to put a lot of time and effort into sending you CV out, writing to firms and companies that you want to work for and networking with the right people. There are lots of ways of getting yourself noticed, but one of the hardest things to do is to get yourself remembered.
And a great way to ensure that the people you meet will remember you is by handing out business cards. These cards will normally hold your name, your area of expertise and your contact details so that people can easily get into contact with you if they need to.
Having your own cards is a great way of effectively networking. So if you want to get your career started, consider ordering yours online.

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Business Cards Can Help You Get Noticed