12/07/2011 by Geoff.

The Government has announced that the adult national minimum wage will increase by 15p an hour, to £6.08, from 1st October 2011.The other rates will increase as follows:

• 18-20 year olds: by 6p to £4.98 per hour
• 16-17 year olds: by 4p to £3.68 per hour
• apprentices: by 10p to £2.60 per hour

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “More than 890,000 of Britain’s lowest-paid workers will gain from these changes. They are appropriate, reflecting the current economic uncertainty while at the same time protecting the

Written by Sue Gott - HR Consultant

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12/07/2011 by Geoff.

As regular visitors will know we’ve written a number of postings on the subject of late payments. It is probably the most time consuming and frustrating issue small companies face. It should not be forgotten that collecting the money you’re owed can be a matter of life or death for a small business.

Some useful pointers to oil the wheels are:

• Become a pest - if you don’t ring you’ll sink to the bottom of the pile
• Get to know the people involved at your customer
• Accuracy - ensure there is nothing preventing payment
• If there is a genuine dispute resolve it before considering further action
• Consider refering to a more senior person
• A formal or legal letter (a letter before action). Perhaps remind your customer you are due interest on late payments
• Consider court action. Remember this will cost time and money. Also don’t do it if your customer hasn’t got the money to pay.

As we’ve said before be accurate and stick to your process.

Posted in Business interest, Contact Us, Tips and Ideas | 1 Comment »

03/07/2011 by Geoff.

From 6 April 2011 all tax payers will still get the benefit of childcare vouchers. However, to retain the level of benefit, higher rate tax payers will need to join a scheme before this date. The changes in the legislation will affect higher rate tax payers which means there will only be eligibility to receive £28 per week in childcare vouchers unless already in a scheme.  There is no change for basic rate tax payers.   Basic rate tax payers will remain eligible to receive the maximum amount of £55 per week. These changes are taking place in order to equalise tax benefits between higher and basic rate payers. From 6 April 2011, all employees will receive the same level of income tax exemption of £11 per week. Those affected will be new joiners to a scheme on or after 6 April 2011.  Employees already in a scheme remain unaffected; regardless of their tax banding. 

So, if you are thinking about joining the childcare voucher scheme, and are a higher rate tax payer, now is the time to join!

Written by Sue Gott - one of our HR professionals

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03/07/2011 by Geoff.

A one-off additional bank holiday in honour of the Queen’s jubilee has been announced for 5 June 2012. In addition, the late May bank holiday will be moved to 4 June 2012 for that year only to create a four day weekend. On the other side of the coin, the parliamentary bill proposing a bank holiday to celebrate St George’s day and St David’s day every year has been withdrawn so there’ll be no additional bank holiday. Sue Gott, Chartered FCIPD

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