27/07/2009 by admin.

EDT is “the effective date of termination of employment”.  So why is it so important?  ………….because it can determine whether someone has the right to bring a claim for unfair dismissal and the time limit within which the Claim must be brought.  For an unfair dismissal claim, usually an employee should have been employed for a full year.  The qualifying period of employment is calculated by the EDT and an employee can only bring an unfair dismissal claim within 3 months of it. So the EDT is important. The Court of Appeal has recently ruled on a case, in which the EDT was paramount to the claimant’s success.  The claimant attended a disciplinary hearing on a Tuesday.  She was told to go home and await a letter informing her of the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.  A dismissal letter was posted (by recorded delivery) and arrived at the Claimant’s home on Thursday.  But, the Claimant had gone away for a few days.  She returned home on the Sunday night and opened the letter on the Monday morning. 

The Court of Appeal ruled that the EDT is the date the dismissal is communicated.  As the Claimant could not read the letter until the Monday, that was the date of her EDT.  So, the Claimant’s unfair dismissal claim was valid, as the EDT was the date the letter was opened, not the date it was posted or delivered.

Written by our HR consultant Simone Greasley

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27/07/2009 by Geoff.

How many times have we heard or uttered the above in frustration with a subordinate?

Our advice is think it but don’t do it. Your business is a process and your teams (could be one person) responsibility is to deliver its aims. Of course you know how things should be done (you started / invented the process) but your business is not going to grow operating in this way.

Its about:

• Confidence - have it in your team - it may take some time to build.
• Trust - your team members to do things - set standards of operation and ensure your team know when you expect tasks or results to be delivered.
• Organisation - the above two elements are fine but you need to ensure your team understand its role, responsibilities and accountabilities

Develop this approach and very soon your team will be doing things as well as you. By the way the result is not that you won’t have anything to do more that you will be able to spend time on what you should be doing - developing the strategic direction of the business?

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16/07/2009 by Geoff.

Its some time since we wrote our article - our views - on business plans. Business plans seem to be invented in order for a Company to obtain money or support. Not bad reasons in themselves but unfortunately most Companies tend to forget about this valuable document / information.

An EMS answer is to have a business operating plan (BOP). This document helps the business owner have a plan of how he or she intends to bring the aims of the business to reality - a route map. Of course like most plans it needs regular review to check the actions are taking the company in the right direction. If not then change the plan and check assumptions made originally.

If you need help you know where to come.

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16/07/2009 by admin.

The Government has announced that a new “fit note” will replace the current “sick note” scheme.  It is expected to be rolled-out across the UK in Spring 2010. The aim of this is to encourage employees to stay in work, rather than going on long term sick leave. Ben Bradshaw (Health Minister) said: “ Getting people back into work quicker is good for their health as well as the country’s finances”. 

The new fit note will have more details to enable people to get better advice about staying in work.  It will include recommendations as to what their employer can do to help them return to work, as soon as possible.

Written by our HR specialist - Simone Greasley

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06/07/2009 by admin.

We’ve said before that to be a good consultant you need to have coaching skills.

To re-enforce this idea EMS are pleased to welcome Tony Brooks - Business Coach of Building Bridges - to their membership. We are sure that Tony will benefit our clients and consultants.

Tony has delivered his coaching skills to large corporates and SME’s with great success.

In the short term if you want to know more about Tony go to http://www.buildingbridgeslcs.co.uk 

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