Whilst it is widely acknowledged that training is an essential part of a business’s ability to progress, UK small businesses are struggling to invest in training due to a mindset of reduced spending during the recession according to business improvement strategist and professional trainer, Sylvia Baldock, who explains further in her latest blog.  Training is still being seen as a luxury rather than necessity because of a lack of conscious acknowledgement of the benefits of training. Training can have a huge impact on a business from helping... Continue reading

On Thursday, every registered voter in Scotland over the age of 16 will decide if they want Scotland to become an ‘independent country’. The debate surrounding Scotland’s independence has not only raised eyebrows, but also a whole host of questions regarding the impact a ‘yes’ vote will have. We thought it would be interesting to see how accident and fatality rates in the workplace might change if Scotland does become independent. Statistics show that Scotland has long had a higher rate of fatal and major injuries than the rest of ... Continue reading

According to a new report released last week, employers, the Government and the NHS are failing to provide sufficient support for people with chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to help them stay in work. The report, which was produced by Lancaster University’s Work Foundation and the Fit for Work UK Coalition, also stated that some patients are putting their health at risk in order to hold onto their jobs. It has been reported that Britain is currently losing 30.5 million working days a year to MSDs, which according to figures from th... Continue reading

Construction can be a hazardous business with recent statistics revealing it is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), despite construction only making up 5% of the UK workforce, it accounts for 22% of the workplace fatalities. The report also found that last year alone, 49 workers in the UK construction industry suffered fatal injuries and there were 2,230 major injuries reported in the construction industry. What’s more, there is a worry that these statistics could become even w... Continue reading

The majority of workplaces have some form of dress code and it is important that employers are aware of how best to deal with this sometimes tricky issue. Many employers enforce dress codes to ensure that the uniform communicates a corporate image and so that customers can easily identify them. Of course there are also health and safety reasons why a dress code is a necessity, while religion must also be considered. Acas has recently issued guidance in relation to workplace dress codes, which will be useful for employers who are in the proces... Continue reading