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Guides & Tips

Maximise staff potential

Remove the outer layer of fluff from theories on staff engagement and you’re left with a way to better manage your employees and improve operational efficiency.

How to fight workplace bullying

Bullying affects up to one in ten employees. But intimidating behaviour, as displayed by presenters Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, can go unnoticed. Here Steve Williams, head of equality services at employment expert Acas and SmallBusiness.co.uk offer some tips for banning bullying.

Don't blur the boundaries between permanent and non- permanent staff

Flexible staff

The recent sacking of 850 agency workers by BMW demonstrated how companies use non-permanent staff to protect themselves in a turbulent economy. But you need to know the pitfalls before hiring temporary workers.

Don't Miss

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.

Clock on to short-time working

If waiting to reduce staff overheads is something you can no longer afford to delay, short-time working could be a way to save money without letting employees go

Employing Staff News

Employers say scrapping DRA is a bad move

‘Removing the default retirement age will damage business’

The British Chambers of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry have hit out against the government’s proposal to remove the default retirement age.

Pension reforms will hit SMEs hard

Companies with ten employees or less should be exempt from the forthcoming pension reforms.

School leavers are ready to work

Two thirds of employers who recruit 16-year old school leavers consider them to be prepared for work.

UK employees don’t work like they used to

In spring 2010 there were as many people in the UK working between 16 and 30 hours per week as there were those working 45 hours or more per week.

Government scraps retirement age

The default retirement age is to be abolished by October next year under government proposals.

Graduates choose to be their own boss

One in three students graduating this year or next has a business idea and plans to become an entrepreneur in the near future, according to a survey.

Employers frustrated by skills gap

The government has set up another consultation with employers to find out how to create a more effective and skilled workforce.

Workers ‘one pay cheque away from poverty’

UK employees on average say they could survive for just four weeks without full pay.

Unemployment falls, for now

Joblessness in the UK dropped by 34,000 in the three months to May to 2.47 million.

Recruitment increases in June

The amount of people placed in permanent jobs rose last month, say recruitment consultancies.

Ill at ease

Almost half of UK workers on sick leave continue to work when unwell.  

Events Calendar

City University & Knowledge Connect: Free money from the LDA for your business

29th June, City University, Ground Floor, Room AG07

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. 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.

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.

What Investment

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

Local Guides

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

FREE line installation and setup worth over £140

Over 120,000 small businesses have joined XLN. Now is the time to switch and sign up to one of our Total Business packages before June and get free installation and setup. Total Business gives you business broadband, line rental and unlimited calls to UK numbers form £24.95 pm. Call 0800 987 5808 or click here to arrange a call back & discuss your options.

Free weekly advice on employing staff

Everything you need to know about contracts of employment, training staff and pension schemes. Find out more or sign up today.

Compare Insurance quotes for Employers Liability

Employers’ Liability insurance covers you and your business against claims from employees injured at work or taken ill as a result of working for you. Compare Insurance quotes for Employers Liability to ensure your business can cover claims without compromising its financial stability.

Managing staff Resource Centre

Key Person Insurance

Let us find the Right Key Person Insurance Policy for your business. Call our Independent Expert Advisers on 01773 771380 or click here to find out more

Health for Work Adviceline for Small Business

Free NHS Adviceline helps employers minimise the impact of staff illness and provide essential support to staff with physical and mental health issues. Visit our Health for Work website

Free HR software

Your employees are your most valuable resource, so now's the time to ensure that your HR policies are correct. Our free HR software will ensure that your business is fit for future growth. To find out more click here

Flexible Skills Bank

Tap in to this pool of professionals looking for flexible, or ad hoc work to fit in with their family commitments. Click here

Your guide to recruitment

This market synopsis examines the trends and market developments affecting the recruitment sector within the UK.

Resources for new ways of working

Flexibility provides updates on the world of flexible work, with news, views, reviews, articles, links and other resources.

Promoting health and wellbeing

This site highlights the importance of health and wellbeing at the workplace and provides advice on on common issues such as stress and drug problems.

Solving work disputes

ACAS has over 30 years of experience in helping organisations of all sizes to avoid and resolve disputes in relationships at work.

Understand the causes of stress at work

The material and resources on this site are aimed at helping you to understand the causes of stress at work, and to identify and solve problems in your workplace.

Allowing time of work

This guide explains why allowing your staff time off work for personal and family reasons can have real benefits.

The importance of HR policies

This site by The Department of Health features information about the development and implementation of HR policies.

Management and development of staff

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for those involved in the management and development of people.

More Managing staff Resources

Other Employing Staff Resources

Polls

Video

Can your customers find you?

If you have a web presence, then you need to ensure that customers can find it – otherwise, it’s just a waste of money.

Email and web hosting

This video looks at the the importance of business email and web hosting for SMEs.

Three Minute Mentor - Setting up a Home Office

Whether you're based at home full time or just occasionally, you need the right tools at hand. This short video looks at how you can set up the perfect home office

Three Minute Mentor - Email Marketing

Blogs

Will Alan Sugar sweeten business prospects?

Marc Barber 10/06/2009

While any help singled out for small businesses should be welcomed, the appointment of Sir Alan Sugar as ‘Enterprise Tsar’ smacks of gimmicky desperation. (2 comments) Have your say »

Credit crunch: What does it mean for you?

Penny Proffit 25/01/2008

In the current global economic climate, small business owners are likely to be concerned about the consequences of the credit crunch. Penny Proffit has teamed up with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to bring you ten quick tips for survival. Have your say »

Basic building block of any Internet marketing campaign

Guest Blogger 07/07/2008

For almost all sectors of commerce today, the Internet, or more specifically the World Wide Web, is now a key tool for business. In the field of marketing in particular it has become crucial.

(3 comments) Have your say »