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Guides & Tips

The new fit note might create more pain for businesses

Getting fit for business

Fit notes are set to replace sick notes next month. Neeta Laing, head of employment law at Lewis Hymanson Small, explains how the system will work.

Using HR techniques could be the solution to managing your staff

Managing employees

Whether you are looking to increase staff development or need some quick-fix help, there are a range of HR solutions available.

Avoiding stress in the workplace

Stress at work is no laughing matter, with 13.5 million working days lost to businesses last year. Here, SmallBusiness.co.uk and charity The Eden Project offer some tips to defuse office tension.

Staff training can benefit your business

No train, no gain

Now might not seem like the obvious time to invest in staff training programmes. But doing so can have huge benefits to your business – and the good news is there’s funding available.

New research from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified four key stress management behaviours that can make the difference between line managers bucking up or bringing down the people they supervise. But, explains AXA ICAS business manager Eugene Farrell, knowing what to do and actually doing it isn’t always easy.

A manager's lot is a tough one

There was a time when being a good manager was to be a good organiser, planner and co-ordinator. That’s not enough for the 21st Century.

Don't Miss

Modern graduates face a highly competitive job market

First-class employees

Attracting the best graduate to your company is easier if you show an understanding of their journey from higher education to workplace.

Seven ways to beat stress

Michael Jackson, chairman of leading technology venture capitalist Elderstreet Investments, gives SmallBusiness.co.uk his tips for dealing with stress.

Making staff cuts doesn't mean you have to give people the axe.

Reducing salary

There are other ways of reducing your staffing budget without having to take the axe to your workforce.

Employing Staff News

Apprentices are liable to switch off if not given a wide range of tasks

Apprentices lack inspiration

Young apprentices are dropping out of training because employers are not providing a sufficiently-rounded programme to inspire their interest, a prominent manufacturer warns.

Apprentices lack inspiration

Young apprentices are dropping out of training because employers are not providing a sufficiently-rounded programme to inspire their interest, a prominent manufacturer warns.

Latest apprenticeship fund unveiled

A new £6 million round of government funding has been allocated to support thousands of degree-level higher apprenticeships.

Duvet day for 400,000

‘National Sickie Day’ will cost UK businesses more than £34 million, a business support specialist predicts.

Nameless CVs for fairer hiring

Businesses should encourage all job applicants to send in CVs that do not identify their name or ethnic background, says an employment law specialist.

TUC rallies against tribunal fees

Introducing fees to take claims to employment tribunals could be a huge barrier to equality at work, says the Trades Union Congress.

Jobs market to remain unstable in 2012

Unemployment has hit a 17-year high of 8.4 per cent, finds data.

Higher education not developing work skills

A fifth of UK employers believe school leavers make better employees than university graduates.

Forum supports education-level skills boost

The Forum of Private Business has welcomed government plans to improve how IT is taught in UK schools to better prepare young people for work.

Workers 'underused and demotivated' by lack of support

The underuse of skills in the UK is resulting in lost productivity both for businesses and the economy as a whole, argues a think tank.

Youth employment scheme backed by lobbying group

The Confederation of British Industry has formally backed the government's £1 billion Youth Contract programme aimed at ensuring ‘every young person in the UK is in education or employment’.

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FT Guide to Personal Tax

The FT Guide to Personal Tax is published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and John Bloxham, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

The FT Guide to Business Start Up 2012, published by Pearson Education, is written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc. This unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

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Human resources Questions & Answers

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Entrepreneurship

Ed Percival, Shirlaws Binfield

Advice for employers

Peter Done, Peninsula

Human Resources

Cecily Lalloo, Embrace HR

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Bupa for Businesses

We understand that all businesses are different. To help you choose the right healthcare package for you and your employees, call us today on 08457 66 11 15 or alternatively find out more here.

Hiscox business insurance for small & medium businesses

Hiscox offer specialist business insurance for office based professionals and consultants. Hiscox understand's every business is different and work hard to understand the specific risks small businesses face. Find out which business insurance is suitable for you.

Blogs

Apprenticeship dreams

Ben Lobel 07/02/2012

So, another government incentive has been dangled in front of small businesses in the form of a fresh £6 million fund for hiring apprentices. Have your say »