Welcome to our latest newsletter.
We provide professional HR support and payroll services to organisations across Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties. Our goal is to keep you up to date with the latest developments in HR and Payroll that affect your business. We will publish useful hints and tips, interesting business articles and feature the occasional competition with prizes.
Fiona Armitage
Partner
Critchleys HR and Payroll LLP |
LEGISLATION: Pension Changes - Are You Ready?
  You may have heard about changes to the pension rules which will make it compulsory to enrol employees into a workplace pension?
The new rules will start in 2012. They will affect all staff who are not already in a pension scheme, are aged between 22 and state pension age and earn more than £7,475 a year.
Employers will need to choose a pension scheme that meets Government standards and make minimum contributions, starting at 1% and increasing to 3% from 2017 onwards.
The good news for smaller employers is that the new rules will be introduced gradually, from 2012 to 2016, depending on the numbers of employees. If you have fewer than 50 staff, then these changes are not likely to affect you until July 2014.
Click here to read a plain English guide from the Department of Work and Pensions. |
HINTS & TIPS: Performance Management
 In these years of austerity and when the government cutbacks really start to bite, many customers will inevitably spend less and save more.
It will therefore become even more essential that employees keep up their productivity and perform to the best of their abilities to ride out the storm.
Are all of your employees giving you 100% or are there a few who are coasting to pay day?
What is the secret of keeping your staff motivated and engaged?
The climate and culture of a business is set by the owner or manager, so if you are unhappy with your team, perhaps it's time to "change the way things are done around here".
Fortunately, we've prepared the "5 things you must do to get the best from your staff" to give you a starting point for making those changes and ensure that everyone is performing at their best.
There are FIVE KEY POINTS that you MUST address - Click here to read them! |
CASE STUDY: The Vegan Society
 The Vegan Society is an educational charity that provides information and guidance on veganism to new and potential vegans, caterers, healthcare professionals, educators and the media.
Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose.
As well as giving advice to new and potential vegans, they also provide advocacy to existing vegans, particularly those in vulnerable situations, such as the elderly in hospital or care homes.
Additionally, the Chief Executive Officer maintains contact with government departments and submits responses to consultation documents on subjects such as food labelling, climate change, nutrition and global food security.
Nigel Winter, Chief Executive Officer of The Vegan Society, uses the Critchleys HR Advice Line service.
"As a charity, we have to balance the necessity of following best practice and keeping up to date with employment law against the costs of hiring a full time HR Director. The Critchleys HR Advice line is the perfect solution - offering us access to the best advice whenever we need it, but at a budget that demonstrates real value for money," says Nigel.
"Sian and Fiona are worth their weight in gold!"
For more information on our Critchleys HR Advice Line, please click here. |
PREVIOUS COMPETITION WINNER: Roy Millard
 Congratulations to Roy Millard, Director of Kennet Security Consulting Ltd, who won the last competition. Roy will be receiving £500's worth of business advice and support from our partners at: Thinking Business.
Roy knew that "the Dragon who was once the chairman of Millwall Football Club" is Theo Paphitis!
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SPECIAL OFFER: Get Oxfordshire Business Booming
 This month, rather than have a competition that only one of our readers can win, we have negotiated a Special Offer for ALL of our loyal readers.
All readers can take advantage of a £10 discount off the standard ticket price to a very exciting business event at Oxford United's stadium on 14th June 2011.
"Get Oxfordshire Business Booming"
At the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday 14th June 2011 from 4.45pm.
Award-winning marketer and serial entrepreneur, Nigel Botterill who founded "The Best Of" and former BBC Dragon, entrepreneur, author and business mentor, Rachel Elnaugh will be sharing: "THE SECRETS OF BUILDING A SUPER SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS".
To use your Critchleys HR and Payroll discount, simply type the letters "CRI" into the Promo Code box when ordering your tickets.
Click here to find out more about this exciting event and to book your place(s). |
ABOUT CRITCHLEYS HR AND PAYROLL
 We specialise in working with clients who do not have the time to keep up to date with employment law or process payroll.
Our aim is to remove much of the worry and risk that comes with employing staff, by offering professional HR support and payroll services.
For more information, see www.critchleyshr.co.uk or contact Fiona Armtiage on 01865 261188. |
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CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
"After looking for a cost-effective method of recruiting staff, I was delighted to be referred to Critchleys HR and Payroll who offer a fixed fee service for small and medium sized businesses. Their assistance in dealing with applications, short-listing and interviewing was invaluable, saving me time and ensuring that we found the best person for the role.
I would recommend their recruitment package to businesses who want a professional service at a fraction of the cost charged by recruitment agencies."
Pam Hall, Accountant, Haines Hill Estate
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RETAINED CLIENTS AREA
Our HR Advice Line clients have online access to their own area of our website. This private resource contains employment and HR documents, employer guides, employment law updates, case studies and client special offers.
Click here for this month's Comprehensive Guide to:
Anti-bribery Policy
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IT'S A WACKY WORLD!
In the current economic climate, you may be forgiven for thinking that employees would value their jobs all the more and would be on their best behaviour...
Apparently not - as these recent examples from the employment tribunal courts appear to illustrate!
Click here to be amazed!
(N.B. but not for the easily offended!)
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