A number of employment law changes are to come into force over the next month, placing further responsibilities on employers.From October 1st, the national minimum wage will increase from £5.52 per hour to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over.The hourly rate for 18 to 21-year-olds will also rise to £4.77, while young workers aged [...]

Small and medium-sized businesses have a number of concerns about the extension of flexible working rights, according to a new survey.Over one-third of those questioned by Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank said they will find it difficult to offer the new rights when they are introduced.Proposals to extend the right to request flexible working to [...]

Having a strong leadership structure is essential to the survival of a business during times of economic turbulence, it has been claimed.According to a strategic advisor at the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, companies with strong leaders and a solid base will find it much easier to cope with financial challenges.Steve Crabb said the [...]

Employers are being reminded of their responsibilities with regards to the safety of workers who drive as part of their job.According to the campaign group RoadSafe, companies need to take action to reduce the number of employees involved in road accidents.It cites government statistics which show that 27.1 per cent of vehicles involved in crashes [...]

Women who have a female boss are more likely to experience stress at work than those with a male boss, new research has found.According to a study by researchers at the University of Toronto, there is no difference between the stress levels suffered by male employees with female bosses and those working for men.However, female [...]

Peer to peer training could help businesses bring their employees together and encourage them to communicate, according to a Business Link advisor.John Grange said employees who take part in such training are able to share their ideas with their colleagues and learn from one another.He acknowledged that when employees first come together in a peer [...]

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has teamed up with two Polish trade unions to tackle the exploitation of migrant workers in the UK.A protocol has been signed between the three organisations which will see them work together to support Polish migrants and ensure their rights are protected.Brendan Barber, the general secretary of the TUC, said [...]

The changes occurring in the modern workplace are being driven by female employees who are demanding more flexibility and better work-life balances.This is the view of Maureen Rice, editor of Psychologies Magazine, who claims workers could have "a bit of everything" in the future as employers adapt to changing needs."Everybody has invested in having happy [...]

As people are living longer employers are facing greater pressures in terms of pensions and healthcare provision, a new report has revealed.According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), such pressures are likely to increase further in the future as life expectancies continue to rise.It points out that employers around the globe will be forced to [...]

The stigma surrounding mental health problems must be removed, according to a spokesman for the Mental Health Foundation.Simon Loveland said British adults are more likely to develop mental health problems than their counterparts in other parts of the world.And he said recent research revealed that the majority of employers would not consider giving a job [...]