Public Sector Strikes to cause disruption to UK SME businesses

Millions of public sector employees will participate in a mass strike on Wednesday 30th
November 2011. The public sector workers are striking over changes to public sector pensions.

Earlier this year we saw the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and
Lecturers striking in June, but Wednesdays planned mass public sector strike will cause
disruption across multiple public sector services including hospitals, transport and education.

Should schools close, employers could be faced with staffing issues when employees are
unable to work due to a lack of childcare. A reduction in staff can considerably impact the SME
businesses productivity and add additional pressure to the whole team.

Lindsay Hill, Chief Executive at Employment Law specialists Citation plc said
“Employers should encourage employees to think ahead and to be proactive about looking at
alternative childcare arrangements including asking relatives, friends or nurseries to care for
children if schools close.”
“Employers could also consider allowing employees to take their holiday entitlement, look at
the possibility of the employee working from home or agreeing time off that can be worked
back at a later date”.

Ultimately, if none of the above applies, then employees have a legal right to take a
reasonable amount of unpaid time off to cope with an emergency involving a dependant.

Citation’s Employment Law Consultants and 24/7 Helpline advisors support clients throughout
any Employment Law process, providing advice and guidance at all stages. If you are worried
that your business is not properly conforming to current employment law, then a Citation
employment law Consultant can help.

Operating throughout the UK since 1995, Citation provides professional advice and compliance
packages to business clients. Independently endorsed at the highest level its market leading
services provide guaranteed protection in the high risk areas of employment law and health &
safety regulations.

For more information about Citation and the services it provides, visit the Citation website at
http://www.citation.co.uk/employmentlaw or call 0845 844 1111.

 

What’s the ‘Swedish Derogation’ – is it a way round the Agency Worker Regulations 2010?

Under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 an agency worker is entitled, after 12 weeks’ service on an assignment, to the same basic pay and conditions as the equivalent end-users’ employees.

However, there is a derogation under Regulation 10 (referred to as ‘the Swedish Derogation’) that allows an agency to opt-out of ‘the same basic pay’ rule (they still have to give the same basic conditions), but there’s a catch!

Briefly, the Regulation 10 requirements are that the agency worker must be employed by the agency under a permanent contract of employment (instead of an ‘as-and-when’ contract); the agency worker must be paid half-pay and at least the National Minimum Wage when there is no suitable work; and the agency must give at least four weeks’ notice to terminate the employment contract. Finally, it’s the agency worker’s choice as to whether or not they accept a ‘Regulation 10 contract’.

According to Employment Law specialists Citation if an agency worker has the opportunity to take a long-term position with an end-user, they might be prepared to accept a Regulation 10 contract (with lower earnings than they might otherwise have had) in exchange for longer-term security.

Choose Holiday Mate for Holidays in Turkey

Did you know that Holiday Mate were specialists in holidays to all major Turkish holiday resorts? That’s right, the company that have been providing brilliant and affordable Turkey holidays for more than 10 years don’t just offer their expertise to families and groups of friends; they can also offer specialise in activity holidays too, for unbeatably low prices, no matter which part of Turkey you’d like to visit and what array of unforgettable activities you’d like to participate in.

Holidays in Turkey offer the perfect, breathtaking, sun-drenched setting for your trip. Holiday Mate will not be beaten for the price of your Turkey holiday package; and they never will be.

holidays in Turkey are so special because they are in fact several holidays in one. Due to the peculiarities of the Turkish landscape and climate, the Turkey boasts idyllic, Mediterranean coastline and beaches over three sides, but also has snow capped mountains in land, stunning forests, ancient sandy ruins, and even a world wonder.

Holiday Mate can offer travel and hotel accommodation to wide variety of Turkish holiday resorts including Marmaris, Oludeniz, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Altinkum, Antalya, and many more. The choice of Turkish holiday resorts might be extensive, but the choices of things to do once there are infinite. From exotic nightclubs and first class restaurants to safaris, quad treks, water sports and much more, your colleagues will never be short of things to do and can enjoy the spectacular, year-round fantastic weather in the lap of luxury.

Our friendly and professional Holiday Mate staff will be on hand to tailor a perfect holiday to Turkey, which caters completely to your needs. Based in England, and Turkey, our team will always be available, even during your trip, to tackle any necessary travel requirements and ensure everything goes to plan.

Holiday Mate hope to never be beaten on price and will always ensure a successful trip. You’d be well advised to look at them if you are to book a fantastic Turkey holiday