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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.

How to be a better leader

Three-quarters of small business owners admitted in a recent Business Link survey that their management and leadership skills left some room for improvement. Use these top tips to become a better leader.

Don't Miss

How SMEs can bag the best candidates

Employees are the most important resource that your company has. Anthony Karibian, co-founder and CEO of XLN Telecom, explains how SMEs can bag the best candidates.

NICE work if you can get it

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has turned its hand to the management of long-term sickness absence with a consultation on best practice. This promises to shed further light on a perennial problem area. Nic Paton reports.

Making the most of training budgets in recessionary times

Make the most of your training and development budget in the face of the current economic climate.

Employing Staff News

More redundancies ahead

Businesses will continue to make redundancies next year, predicts the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Dad’s the word

Small businesses should start preparing for changes in paternity laws, say legal experts.

'You're hired'

Businesses are set to increase their staff levels by hiring more apprentices.

‘Retirement age should be kept at 65’

Government proposals to remove employers’ rights to retire workers at 65 have been criticised by a small business support group.

Workers get the blues

Employers need to motivate staff as levels of job satisfaction have hit an all-time low, says the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Jobs impact ‘deeper’ than figures show

The UK workforce has been hit much harder by the recession than unemployment figures suggest, claims a report.

Surprise drop in jobless count

Unemployment unexpectedly fell by 7,000 to 2.46 million between September to November, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Another tough year ahead

Despite an economic upturn soon expected, employers are anticipating another difficult year ahead.

Pay frozen for workforce

Only half of UK workers have received a pay increases since last year, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).  

Morale low for New Year

Employers need to motivate staff for next year, as a third of workers feel more negative about their job prospects than a year ago.

Christmas party disciplinary action

Over indulging at the office Christmas party could lead to a somber new year, as one in ten staff say they know of someone who has been disciplined or dismissed for inappropriate behaviour.

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 100 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
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Under 5 employees? Our plans are designed for you

Over 120,000 small businesses have switched to XLN. Keep your existing number and switch to XLN’s businesses line rental for guaranteed savings against your current business service provider. Let us evaluate your current bill and save your business money today, call 08009875808. Click here to find out how much you can save.

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

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.

More Managing staff Resources

Other Employing Staff Resources

Polls

Video

Meeting menaces: The Interruptor

John Cleese reveals how to deal with serial interruptors without giving in or getting into a fight.

Meeting menaces: The Dominator

This short video with John Cleese has some useful advice about how to deal with people who throw their weight around in meetings.

Jamie's kitchen: part four

Jamie's team of recruits face their biggest challenge so far.

Jamie's kitchen: part three

Jamie Oliver has to deal with a crisis in the kitchen as his team learn an important lesson about accountability.

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.

(1 comments) Have your say »

Q&A

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Small business guidance

Marc Barber, SmallBusiness.co.uk

148 posts

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Prize Draw

IT Trends for SMEs in 2010

Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with network support company Lifeline IT to ensure your business' IT systems are in the best shape for 2010. Enter our short survey and your company could win two hours of free IT consultancy. To take part click here