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Can firm use temporary staff to help it thwart strike action?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:40:09 GMT

Question: I’ve been reading the press reports about Royal Mail’s plans to recruit 30,000 temps to deal with a backlog of mail caused by striking employees. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) claims this is illegal. My organisation may be facing its own strike soon and we had planned to ‘plug the gap’ with agency temps. So what is the position?

If you are unhappy with your bank, how easy is it to change?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Q: I signed my house over to my children about 10 years ago in order to avoid inheritance tax but have heard that this might be challenged by HM Revenue & Customs. Is this correct?

Maternity leave is proving a thorny issue for Government

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:51:01 GMT

Harriet Harman faced some tough questions at yesterday's Treasury Select Committee hearing on the City's treatment of women.

Ten years of fighting hard just to get on Equality terms

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:16:18 GMT

Just a few months ago we saw how racism continues to be an issue in our community.

If you have a good business idea don't let recession hold you back

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Question: I have an idea for a business but in the current economic climate I'm not sure it's the best time to start up. Do you have any advice?

Anti-Racist Workplace Week

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:29:38 GMT

This week is Anti-Racist Workplace Week. This is an initiative organised by the Equality Commission and key social partner organisations consisting of employers, trade unions and black and minority ethnic groups.

If workers have to retire at 65 can they claim unfair dismissal?

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Question: The October 31 self-assessment tax deadline is fast approaching and I'm having problems receiving the right forms from HMRC - what should I do?

Taxing issues, recovering debt and making investments work harder

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:09:42 GMT

Question: I am a landlord and have agreed to rent out a property to students but find the rules confusing. Can you help?

The NMW and Service Charges, Tips and Gratuities

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:15:04 GMT

Changes to the legislation on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) have meant that from October 1, 2009 using tips to make up staff pay to minimum wage levels has been outlawed.

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Q: My 16-year-old son has started college this month and claims some of his older friends were paid an allowance from the government for continuing their studies.

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Q We have just managed to secure a substantial bank loan for new equipment over a 10 year deal. How do we protect the business if things go bad?

Networking, students and loan protection; it's a jungle out there

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Question: I know that networking is an important component in business development but how do I make best use of networking opportunities to encourage new business leads?

Firms must comply with minimum wage or be left to count the cost

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:45:48 GMT

Question: I am the owner of a small business and I am concerned about the change to minimum wage within the new business rules which will come into effect on October 1. What will this mean for my business and what changes will I need to make to implement this?

Redundancy and Maternity

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:08:16 GMT

It is unfair dismissal and sex discrimination to select a woman for redundancy because she is pregnant or on maternity leave.

It may not be home sweet home when property prices start to fall

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:49:53 GMT

Question: I signed a contract to purchase a new build apartment — completion was due to take place last week. Its value has fallen to less than the purchase price and I cannot get a mortgage to purchase the property — What should I do?

Details on government schemes for businesses available online

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:13:56 GMT

Question: I often read about government schemes that are designed to help business, but how do I find out more about them?

Free advice for employers to help with staff mental health issues

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:13:46 GMT

Question: I am a small employer and one of my employees has been off sick for months with anxiety and depression. How best can I support him when he returns next month?

Support programmes are available to assist with disability in the workplace

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:41:27 GMT

Question: One of my staff has recently become disabled. I really don’t want to lose this person but am afraid the disability will impose an extra burden on my business. Is there any help out there to assist me in keeping this employee?

Question of money

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:42:54 GMT

Q. I see that details of 130 million credit and debit cards have been stolen in the United States. I am scared that my bank and card accounts will be defrauded. How can I protect myself?

Life as a student: hidden costs and threat of debt

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:35:28 GMT

Thousands of students are finalising their university arrangements for next year following the publication of the A level results. But amid the pressure to choose the right university and the best course, it is easy to overlook the need to also find the most suitable bank account.

Act before the five year deadline to preserve planning permission

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:00:48 GMT

Question: A number of years ago I obtained planning permission for a site that I do not yet want to develop. Is there anything I need to do to preserve the planning permission?

Credit unions outdo others for loan rates

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:21:14 GMT

Even in a recession some businesses do very well. A few days ago the doorstep lender Provident Financial reported a 5.3% increase in customer numbers and a 3.5% rise in profits to £53.1m.

A question of money: Can you recommend a price comparison website?

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:20:04 GMT

Q. I want to reduce the cost of my car insurance. I know there are lots of price comparison websites, but I don't know which to use. Can you recommend some? AN

A question of money

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:20:04 GMT

Q. I want to reduce the cost of my car insurance. I know there are lots of price comparison websites, but I don't know which to use. Can you recommend some? AN

Non-executive directors can help you achieve higher profit margins

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:56:58 GMT

Question: I’m so busy running the business from one day to the next that I don’t have time to think about the bigger picture and our long-term strategy. Some people have suggested appointing a non-executive director to our board. Would this be a good solution for my company?