January 2008
Changes to holiday entitlement
The statutory holiday entitlement has changed. The holiday entitlement increased to 4.8 (24 days if you work a 5 day week) from 1st Oct 07 and will increase to 5.6 weeks (28 days if you work a 5 day week) from 1st April 09, pro rata for those working part time. The holiday entitlement is inclusive of bank holidays. If you already receive paid time off for bank holidays in addition to your 4 week holiday entitlement, your holiday entitlement has not increased.

September 2007
Important changes to National Minimum Wage regulations from October '07
National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates will increase for pay reference periods starting on or after 1st October 2007 as shown in the table below.

17th April 2007
Sugar's Recruitment Policy
What do you think about the recruitment techniques adopted by Sir Alan Sugar on popular BB1 show The Apprentice?

The show has been credited with making the recruitment process an entertaining spectacle for young, would-be entrepeneurs. However, do these recruitment tactics only serve to bring out the worst in candidates? Does his eventual 'you're hired' decision favour only the person who can survive weeks of one-up-manship and back-stabbing as a result if the unnecessary pressure put on the group?

The successful candidate from last year, Michelle Dewberry, lasted only a matter of months at Amstrad before it became clear she was not suitable for the role and left.

Making good decisions when under pressure is clearly a necessary quality and showing a sense of leadership as well as team work is great, however, many of the scenarios on the show are unrealistic and old-fashioned.

Does Sir Alan Sugar's own firm use any recruitment process such as the one on the programme? It's doubtful.

20th March 2007
Shocking Stat
68% of people spend more time organising their annual summer holiday than they do planning their career, according to a recent survey. The research revealed that on average people spend up to 7 days a year planning their summer break, but as little as one day per year mapping out their career paths, while 57% admitted to not having even considered their future job prospects. Although job security was highlighted as the biggest factor in influencing employees' career decisions, it would seem that people are just not willing to put in the time in order to find the security that they are looking for.

23rd January 2007
Research finds nearly half of all CV's contain mistakes
Job applications sent to employers are full of basic mistakes, research carried out but the REC in association with the BBC has discovered.

"The findings show that jobseekers should first pay more attention to getting the basics right. Candidates who make errors run the risk of missing out on being short-listed for a job for which they may have the right experience and qualifications." said the REC's Chief Executive Marcia Roberts.

1st October 2006
Anti-age discrimination laws came into force on 1st October 2006, bringing with them new rights and responsibilities for every employer and employee in the UK.
The new Regulations are helping to ensure that people are no longer denied jobs or harassed because of their age, and in most cases, allowing workers of all ages an equal chance of training and promotion. Terms and conditions, transfers, dismissals, redundancy and retirement are also affected. The Regulations prohibit:
Direct discrimination on the grounds of age
Indirect discrimination, such as applying a citerion, provision or practice which disadvantages people of a particular age
Victimisation on the grounds of age, and
Harassment on the grounds of age.

September 2006
Important changes to National Minimum Wage regulations from October '06
National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates will increase for pay reference periods starting on or after 1st October 2006 as shows in the table below.