Businesses worldwide agree on responsibility to respect human rights, finds a major new report

www.iwlegacy.com/en-gb/blog/businesses-worldwide-agree-on-responsibility-to-respect-human-rights-finds-a-major-new-report-52978

A major new international report published this week by The Economist Intelligence Unit shows that a large majority of executives (83%) believe that human rights are a matter for businesses and not just Governments. In addition, 71% of respondents to the survey say that their company's responsibility to respect human rights goes beyond simple obedience to local laws. The road from principles to practice: Today’s challenges for business in respecting human rights; explores the views of businesses worldwide on their responsibility to respect h... Continue reading


Are you aware of the sentencing guidelines relating to environmental offences?

www.iwlegacy.com/en-gb/blog/are-you-aware-of-the-sentencing-guidelines-relating-to-environmental-offences-52975

It is just nine months since new sentencing guidelines for environmental crime came into force and the implications for business are becoming clearer. The guidelines cover offences such as the unlawful deposit, treatment or disposal of waste and illegal discharges to air, land and water under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. They also apply to those who fail to comply with an abatement notice for causing an environmental nuisance, through dust, noise, smell or smoke. ... Continue reading


Potential fire risks of high rise construction illustrated by Dubai Torch Tower fire

www.iwlegacy.com/en-gb/blog/potential-fire-risks-of-high-rise-construction-illustrated-by-dubai-torch-tower-fire-55325

Our most recent fire safety breifing - Click here The fire that swept through the 79-storey Torch Tower in Dubai's Marina area in February, which resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of people, wasn't the first fire of its type in the city. There was a similar fire at the nearby 34-storey Tamweel Tower fire in November 2012; and the fact that neither of these building's external cladding system were code compliant was clearly a factor in both cases.  According to fire experts Clive Raybould and Phil Barry, similar fires are occurrin... Continue reading


Are Government plans for health and safety relating to self-employed workers counterproductive?

www.iwlegacy.com/en-gb/blog/are-government-plans-for-health-and-safety-relating-to-self-employed-workers-counterproductive-52963

The world’s largest professional body in occupational safety and health, The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), has stated that an amended Government plan to deregulate areas of health and safety remains unnecessary, unhelpful and unwise. Clause 1 of the Government’s Deregulation Bill will amend the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to exempt certain self-employed from general health and safety duties. IOSH stated that the clause could lead to confusion, lower standards and increase the risk of injury and illness ... Continue reading


Discriminatory questions to avoid when interviewing candidates

www.iwlegacy.com/en-gb/blog/discriminatory-questions-to-avoid-when-interviewing-candidates-52961

Employers cannot ask interviewees questions related to their protected characteristics. What are the questions to avoid when recruiting new staff members?  Are you asking discriminatory questions in your interview?  The interview process is a very important task for employers. It is your opportunity to find out the information you need to know about interviewees so that you can determine whether or not they will be suitable for a position within your organisation.  During the selection and interview process, it is against the law to discr... Continue reading