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Webchat: The employer's apprentice Feb 22 2008
Stephen Gardner, director of apprenticeships at the Learning and Skills Council and Gina Mcdowell, finalist in the Large Employer of the Year category of the Apprenticeship Awards in 2006, are taking part in a live webchat to educate employers about recruiting apprentices for business success. Read A unique approach to keeping businesses healthier Sep 27 2007

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Read Guide to Apprenticeships Jul 19 2007
In a recent survey conducted amongst members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), 31.8 per cent reported experiencing skill shortages amongst their current staff, in managerial, advanced IT, technical and sales and marketing roles. So what’s to be done? SmallBusiness.co.uk teamed up with the FSB to give you this guide to apprenticeships. Read Train staff in core skills Aug 16 2006
Research shows there has been a shift from training to learning and organisations are encouraging the individual learner to take more responsibility for his or her learning. Many training needs are obvious and emerge as a clear consequence of the nature of the business with the introduction of new systems, technology and processes. Read How to reconnect young people and organisations Aug 02 2006
The “Working Progress” report, from Orange and think-tank Demos, highlights the damaging disconnect between graduates and employers and how this is affecting UK PLC. The report also provides solid and practical recommendations of ways in which the two can reconnect. Read What to put in an employment contract Jul 19 2006
Any small business employing staff must be aware of the details that need to be included in an employment contract. Carolyn Mumby, of Employment Law Essentials, explains what employers need to know about terms of employment. Read Recruiting staff online Jun 14 2006
Recruitment websites are rapidly growing in popularity and can be a very cost-effective way for small businesses to reach thousands of potential candidates in a short space of time. Sean Mahon, Marketing Director, from fish4 explains how. Read Firing staff legally May 30 2006
Dismissing an employee can be a difficult area to tackle for employers especially if the employee has worked for the company for 12 months or more because they attract Unfair Dismissal rights. Read Measuring company culture Apr 12 2006
Some claim their company culture is ‘young, vibrant and fun’. Others call it ‘casual, yet professional and ethical’, and there are even those whose culture is ‘characterised by open doors and open minds’. But what actually is company culture and can it be measured? How can you ensure your projected company image corresponds with the actual workplace? Read Navigate the employment law maze Jan 25 2006
UK and European legislation has ensured that the days of an entrepreneur being master of his own house with regard to employment issues has long gone. Read How to set salaries Jan 10 2006
Non-financial incentives, such as flexible working, training, extra holidays and a good working atmosphere all have their place in rewarding employees. But let’s be honest, it’s cold hard cash that’s the main reason most staff come to work every morning. So, how do balance paying your staff enough to keep them happy while not breaking the bank? Read Top tips to cope with Christmas Dec 07 2005
With staff dropping their work rate and the danger of the Christmas party getting out of hand, the festive period can leave small business owners with a major headache. Use this guide to ease the pain. Read Watch out for thieving staff Nov 02 2005
The UK is one of the worst countries in Europe for stealing by employees, according to a report by the Centre for Retail Research. Even if you employ relatively few people, it’s still important to consider the worst-case scenario of staff theft and put measures in place now to deal with it in the future Read Setting up a Recruitment Agency Oct 21 2005
This profile explores what is needed to start up a recruitment agency. It looks at the relevant skills and training, examines the market and suggests how to identify customers and competitors. Read Top 10 HR tips Aug 16 2005
For many businesses, people are the most important asset; smallbusiness.co.uk's Top Ten HR Tips provide advice on how to find and keep the best employees and offer hints on helping them develop.
Read Paying your employees Sep 02 2004
If you have an employee who does not have a bank account, and insists on being paid in cash, what are your options? As a first step, speak to the employee and ascertain why he cannot open a bank account. Read