Probationary Periods are a useful management tool when recruiting someone to a new position, whether it be a new recruit or a promotion.
Our latest webcast provides vital insight and guidance on the topic. You can watch it here.
Ellis Whittam Appoints Director of Health & Safety Services
Chester based Ellis Whittam, award winning providers of Employment Law and Health & Safety support to UK employers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Wilson to its Board as Director of Health & Safety Services.
Nick’s appointment signals Ellis Whittam’s ambition to further strengthen and enhance its offering for new and existing clients nationwide.
Nick joins Ellis Whittam from a successful legal practice where he was their head of Health & Safety and Environmental Services supporting a diverse range of clients. Nick has also previously worked within the manufacturing industry and for seven years was a HSE Inspector for the North West where he conducted investigative, enforcement and inspection activities across all industrial sectors.
Nick has many professional accreditations including CMIOSH and MIIRSM, is a member of the IOSH Council and is an accredited trainer for IOSH and CIEH. Nick has a track record of translating legislation and obligation into practical workplace solutions.
Deven Thakrar, CEO of Ellis Whittam, comments: “We know from our close relationship with our clients that employers are looking for more than just advice and someone to perform their audits. They want an organisation that can cut through the minefield of legislation and promote practical, value added business friendly solutions. They also recognise the crossover between employment law and health and safety services in areas such as occupational health and wellbeing.
“The overall approach in this area is invaluable in managing all people related issues, and this is why the vast majority of our clients take our combined service. They increasingly want an action orientated, hands-on service coupled with strategic and legal support that adds real value to their business.
“We are enhancing our services to respond to this demand and with the appointment of Nick we have someone who can ensure we deliver the inspirational service that Ellis Whittam is renowned for.”
Nick Wilson comments: “I was attracted to Ellis Whittam as a fast-growing and innovative business that has a reputation for excellent service. I am determined that our services will continue to lead the market and I am looking forward to introducing exciting new initiatives for our clients.”
Ellis Whittam Introduces Unique Training Course for Health Professionals
Ellis Whittam has developed a unique new training course to help health professionals achieve and maintain health and safety standards with a particular emphasis on CQC outcomes.
The health sector has never before been under so much scrutiny. With the stringent standards against which the Care Quality Commission will be assessing, better informed users of services, an inquisitive media and not forgetting the still applicable Health & Safety At Work Act (1974), there has never been so much pressure on professionals in the sector to ensure they are appropriately equipped.
The new course, Health & Safety Management for Health Professionals, has been developed by Ellis Whittam’s experienced team of Health & Safety Consultants and it has been independently accredited by IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health).
Deven Thakrar, CEO of Ellis Whittam, explains: “We work in partnership with many clients and professional bodies in the health sector and they have been asking us to develop a bespoke course that meets their requirements. Similar courses are usually four days, and cover all sectors, and busy health professionals simply don’t have the time. So we developed this intensive two day course to focus purely on this sector and CQC outcomes.”
The first course is scheduled to take place in Grantham on 11th and 12th April. Further information is available here or by calling 0845 226 8393.
New Dates & Special Offer for IOSH Health & Safety Courses
Due to high demand, we have added additional dates for our popular IOSH health and safety training courses including one at the new training facility at our head office in Aldford near Chester. We also have news of a special offer.
There are two courses available. The one day Directing Safely course is aimed at employers with senior level responsibilities and provides delegates with the required strategic guidance and outlines their legal obligations. The four day Managing Safely course is designed for individuals who have more hands-on, day to day responsibilities. Ideally, each organisation should send representatives to both courses.
Courses are being held in Birmingham, London, Manchester and at our new head office in Aldford near Chester.
For all businesses attending a Directing Safely course who are not yet Ellis Whittam clients, we are offering a free Health & Safety Compliance Check to be conducted at their premises by one of our regional Business Directors plus 10% off our usual price for our core service fees. Please contact us for further details.
The courses are approved by IOSH (the Institution for Occupational Safety and Health) and result in a formal qualification. For more information on the course content go here and for details of venues and dates go here.
It’s Winter Again!
From an employment law point of view, there are steps you can put in place to deal with the issues winter can bring.
First, you can introduce a severe weather policy. This can make the point that employees should not attempt to get into work where local radio has advised it is unsafe to do so but otherwise must make an effort. Employees should be required to telephone you before their start time to let you know if they are delayed or not coming. The policy should set out what happens to payment for the day. If employees can do their work from home, they should be paid for the hours they work. Employees who can only work productively at your normal place of work can in most cases be required to take the day as unpaid or as a holiday. If severe weather conditions cause a big delay in getting to work, you can provide in your policy that lost time will be unpaid or made up by agreement. Make sure that your employees are reminded of the policy whenever the weather forecast looks bad!
Remember that all employees have a right to a reasonable amount of unpaid time off to deal with emergencies involving their dependants. ‘Emergencies’ for these purposes include where child care arrangements break down or there is an unexpected incident at school. So, whilst there is no legal obligation to pay employees who can’t get to work because bad weather means they have to look after their children unexpectedly, they cannot be disciplined for not turning up to work.
Ellis Whittam Raise Funds in Aid of BBC Children in Need
Once again, Chester based Ellis Whittam, providers of Employment Law and Health & Safety support to UK employers, proudly supported the BBC Children in Need appeal and raised £3,000 to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people throughout the UK.
Colleagues organised a series of activities throughout November including the long-established BBC Children in Need breakfast, followed by the traditional sweet shop experience, Pudsey inspired games, master chef and master bake off’s, children’s art competitions, raffles, dress down days and sports activities. The endless list of events closed with a garden fete featuring golf and boules games, musical chairs, tug of war and the legendary It’s A Knockout.
Mark Ellis, Chairman of Ellis Whittam, said: “Supporting charities is a big part of life at Ellis Whittam and I would like to thank all of our colleagues whose time and continuous efforts throughout the appeal made each fundraising event a huge success. BBC Children in Need is a fantastic charity and we are proud to support the remarkable work they do.”
Ellis Whittam Colleagues Raise More Than £2,000 for The Walton Centre
Colleagues at Ellis Whittam have presented The Walton Centre, the only specialist neurosciences NHS Trust in the UK, with a cheque for £2,074.
Speaking from their head office in Chester, Deven Thakrar, CEO, said: “One of our colleagues, Paul Arthur, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis last year and The Walton Centre gave him exceptional care. Our colleagues wanted to say thank you and give something back.”
Paul made a full recovery and was able to take part in a range of fund raising activities organised by his Ellis Whittam colleagues including raffles, bake-offs, dress down days and sponsored runs and bike rides.
Consultant Neurosurgeon Martin Wilby, who operated on Paul, explained: “Paul could have died if he hadn’t had the drain, so I’m delighted to see that he has made a great recovery.
“We’re thrilled to receive this very generous donation and we really appreciate the effort of Paul and his colleagues.”
The Walton Neuro Fund directly benefits patients living with debilitating neurological conditions and in some cases, life threatening illnesses. Anyone wishing to contribute should contact The Walton Centre on 0151 525 3611.
EW Colleagues Provide Funding Boost to British Heart Foundation Appeal
Ellis Whittam colleagues have presented a cheque for £2,074 to the British Heart Foundation’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.
Employees at Ellis Whittam have spent the past 12 months raising money for the BHF by staging monthly Come Dine With Me lunches, dress down days, raffles, bake offs, auctions and sponsored cycles and runs.
Ken Fretwell, BHF fundraising and volunteer manager in Chester, said: “I would like to thank everyone at Ellis Whittam for their valued support. Their fundraising efforts have been fantastic and without the support of our fundraisers and volunteers, we would not be able to continue our vital, pioneering and caring work.
“Sadly, heart and circulatory disease remains the UK’s biggest killer and we need to all take steps to beat it.”
Mark Ellis, Chairman of Elis Whittam, commented: "There's hardly anyone who through their family and friends hasn't witnessed the excellent work of the British Heart Foundation. We're delighted to be able to make a contribution and we encourage other individuals and corporations to get involved in supporting their work which saves and transforms lives."
For more information about volunteering or fundraising for the BHF, call Ken Fretwell on 0151 6782646 or email fretwellk@bhf.org.uk.
Hospitality Bulletin Issue 2 Online Now
The hospitality, leisure and tourism sector has particular needs when it comes to Employment Law and Health & Safety and Ellis Whittam has huge experience in this area.
You can read more about our services and watch our free video tutorial on some of the key employment law issues for employers here.
October 1st is one of two dates in the calendar when employment law changes are introduced.
This year, despite many proposals and impending changes which you can read about in Peter Schofield's blog and in our Employment Law Briefings from recent months, only two are being introduced.
National Minimum Wage
As of 1 October 2012, the main rate of the National Minimum Wage increases from £6.08 to £6.19 per hour.
The youth rate (which applies to workers aged 18 to 20) and the rate for those aged 16 to 17 remain unchanged.
The apprentice rate increases from £2.60 to £2.65 per hour and the accommodation offset, whereby employers can offset housing costs against the NMW, increases from £4.73 to £4.82 a day.
Pensions Auto-enrolment
The media are making much of the introduction today of auto-enrolment into pensions schemes which will require every employer to provide access to a pension scheme into which their workers will automatically be enrolled and into which both parties will have to make contributions. However, this new law only comes into force on 1st October 2012 for employers with 120,000 employees or more. For employers with fewer than 250 employees the law will only start coming in in 18 months’ time, and for the smallest firms, with under 50 staff, we are looking at 2015-2017 before the new law applies. The best guide to preparing for the new law can be found on the Pensions Regulator’s site: 7 steps to prepare for automatic enrolment.
Ellis Whittam Supporting SkillShare
SkillShare is a not-for-profit organisation that encourages the donation of skills from businesses and matches those skills with the needs of the voluntary and community sectors.
It is an initiative set up by David Briggs, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and coordinated by Mark Ellis, Chairman at Ellis Whittam.
Dial House in Chester is the latest charitable organisation to benefit from the SkillShare initiative with Ellis Whittam agreeing to review and bring up to date the charity’s risk assessment, without charge.
This most recent positive match was the result of an appeal to SkillShare from Dial House to help them develop a new risk assessment policy to protect the charity’s workers and operations as well as to comply with the law. Ellis Whittam spent a full day at Dial House to undertake a review, providing a report for Dial House that included an action plan highlighting matters requiring attention. Ellis Whittam has also pledged to provide on-going support to Dial House for the next 12 months.
Keith Roper, General Manager at Dial House, comments: “With a lack of in-house expertise on health and safety matters, the support provided to us by Ellis Whittam has been invaluable. The SkillShare initiative is making a real difference providing valuable assistance where help is needed.”
Mark Ellis comments: “SkillShare is a great concept and a truly workable project which is making a very positive impact on the local charity sector. Ellis Whittam is proud to support SkillShare and to be able to offer on-going guidance to ensure that Dial House has robust health and safety practices in place for its workers and guaranteeing the charity is compliant with the law.”
SkillShare wants to expand its supporting network. To get involved and for more information go to www.cheshireskillshare.org.uk.
Ellis Whittam Boosts Green Credentials With AfOR Partnership
Ellis Whittam has joined forces with the Association for Organics Recycling (AfOR) to provide specialist fixed-fee consultancy services to its 400 plus members.
As the leading trade organisation for the UK’s biodegradable waste management industry, AfOR looks to support its members through sharing good practice and providing sound advice on key environmental management issues.
This partnership will see Ellis Whittam become involved in AfOR’s member affinity scheme, an initiative set up to raise awareness of expert advice and complementary products being offered by carefully selected organisations.
Members will be able to access Ellis Whittam’s extensive employment law and health and safety services to guide them through a variety of management challenges and environmental compliance legislation.
Deven Thakrar, Chief Executive of Ellis Whittam said: “We are delighted to have been selected for AfOR’s member affinity scheme. We have a proven track record in this sector and our advisors are highly qualified, so we are well placed to understand the challenges the industry faces. Our tailored approach and practical advice means that we can help members achieve their business objectives whilst ensuring legal compliance.”
Gordon Thompson, Technical Officer at AfOR, said: “As a membership organisation, it is vital that we provide a broad spectrum of high quality information and advice to promote best practice across the industry. Ellis Whittam highlighted a need amongst our members and showed us that they were more than capable of providing clear, consistent, strategic consultancy services to help our member’s businesses grow and flourish in these difficult times.”
The Association for Organics Recycling is the leading trade organisation for the biodegradable waste management industry in the UK. Set up in 1994 as the Composting Association, AfOR has grown in size and stature and now represents a modern proactive not for profit organisation within the wider waste industry.
Ellis Whittam and bira Join Forces to Support Retailers
Specialist employment law and health and safety advisor Ellis Whittam has been appointed by the British Independent Retailers Association (bira), to provide complimentary legal advice to its 7,500 members across the country.
The exclusive, long term partnership will enable bira members to access free, high-quality employment law, HR and health and safety advice in the first instance and the opportunity to upgrade to an extensive advisory package at a reduced rate if more detailed advice or action is required. Members will be able to access Ellis Whittam’s online resource templates and documentation, and arrange a free employment law and health and safety workplace compliance health-check.
Deven Thakrar, CEO of Ellis Whittam, said: “Retailers are reliant upon the staff that they employ, and with employees come certain responsibilities. Employment and health and safety law can be complicated, and it makes sense for bira members to be able to access consistent, sensible, detailed and practical advice as and when they need it. “bira is the industry’s leading association for independent retailers and we are delighted to have been chosen as its exclusive partner to provide these advisory services to its members.”
Bob Jarrett, Professional Services and Membership Director at bira, said: “As a membership organisation, it is very important to us that we provide our members with the access to the very best advisory services, with a friendly and practical approach. Ellis Whittam showed us that they can offer exactly the type of service that our members want and need and that is why we have chosen to enter into partnership with this forward-thinking and innovative business.”
bira is the leading trade association for independent retailers in the UK. The association is strongly committed to championing independent retailers and providing its members with access to expert knowledge, support and a wide range of specialist business services.
Ellis Whittam Achieves Investors in People Recognition
Aldford-based Ellis Whittam, one of the UK’s leading providers of fixed fee Employment Law and Healthy & Safety services, has achieved the prestigious Investor in People (IIP) Standard.
IIP recognition is proof of the firm’s commitment to its employees and their ongoing professional development. On achieving this recognition, Ellis Whittam is now eligible to display the sought after Investors in People logo and plaque.
Deven Thakrar, Ellis Whittam’s CEO, who was instrumental in leading the company through the process, comments: “This is a fantastic achievement for Ellis Whittam. Investors in People is a framework we can use to ensure we remain focussed on the wellbeing of our employees whilst continually moving forward as a business.
“Our people have always been key to our success and IIP will help ensure that we continue to offer them the support and opportunities needed in order for them to carry on excelling.”
Launched in 1991, Investors in People has grown to be the UK’s leading people management business improvement standard because it delivers improved performance to thousands of organisations. The national standard sets a level of best practice for improving an organisation’s progress through its people.
In the last week, Ellis Whittam has also announced its intention to recruit a significant number of new employees to join the award winning business.
Founded in 2004 by Mark Ellis, Ellis Whittam now leads the corporate services market with their unrivalled quality of service and value for money solutions. Based just outside of Chester, Ellis Whittam supports thousands of organisations in over 40 market sectors across the UK.
Isuzu Truck Appoints Ellis Whittam
Isuzu Truck (UK) has appointed Ellis Whittam to provide the company with employment law advice, HR support and health and safety support. Isuzu Motors Japan is one of the largest truck manufacturers in the world and to be retained to work for its UK distributor is a significant appointment for Ellis Whittam.
The three-year contract with Isuzu Truck (UK) involves the personnel at the company’s head office, training and technical centre site in Hatfield which employs approximately 50 people. Management at the site will have access to advice on employment law, HR and health and safety issues.
The appointment of Ellis Whittam will give Isuzu’s management access to advice and guidance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via telephone, email or online. The service means that they will receive guidance, interpretation and advice on the law in important areas such as absence and sickness, contracts of employment, holiday entitlement, disciplinary and grievance procedure as well as flexible working.
Using Ellis Whittam’s health and safety support service will help ensure that Isuzu’s managers comply with the UK’s health and safety laws. The service gives unlimited health and safety advice and assistance as well as a dedicated consultant to support the business. Ellis Whittam will complete regular audits and risk assessments and act as a competent person for Isuzu as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. All health and safety documents, including a safety policy and handbook, will be drafted and conveniently stored on a dedicated section of Ellis Whittam’s website along with regular health and safety updates.
Ellis Whittam has a team dedicated to supporting Isuzu made up of lawyers and HR experts who have a wealth of experience in dealing with organisations of all types and sizes. The advice offered will be totally confidential, practical and easy to follow, and each manager will be allocated their own highly qualified legal expert who understands the automotive sector and their individual needs.
Nikki King, Managing Director of Isuzu Truck (UK), comments: “This is an important service that will assist us in managing our people and our health and safety agenda with the support of quality professionals. We were attracted to Ellis Whittam for several reasons but particularly we are looking forward to working with a company that shares our strong customer care ethic. I anticipate that we will develop an excellent working relationship with them going forward as a result.”
Deven Thakrar, CEO at Ellis Whittam, comments: “This is a very exciting new contract and we are proud and delighted to be working in partnership with such a highly prestigious name within the automotive industry.
“We believe that Isuzu’s decision to work with Ellis Whittam is illustrative of a flight to quality in the HR support marketplace. Organisations are increasingly looking to improve the quality of service and real value that can be added to their employment expertise. We are looking forward to providing Isuzu with our high quality service and supporting its managers with individual and diverse employment law, HR and health and safety needs.”
Isuzu managers will also have access to Ellis Whittam’s online employment law and HR resource where they can access and download personalised employment law information, staff books and other associated support materials.
Toni & Guy Appoints Ellis Whittam
Mascolo Ltd, the holding company for some of the most powerful hairdressing brands in the world, including Toni & Guy and Essensuals, has appointed Ellis Whittam to provide it with fixed fee employment law, HR and health and safety support. The contract also appoints Ellis Whittam as preferred advisory partner for the group’s 350 franchised salons across the UK.
The appointment of Ellis Whittam means that the group will have access to employment law, HR advice and health and safety guidance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via telephone, email or online. The service is also offered to Toni & Guy and Essensuals’ franchisees so they too can receive guidance, interpretation and advice on the law in important areas such as absence and sickness, contracts of employment, holiday entitlement, disciplinary and grievance procedure as well as flexible working.
Jackie Doherty, Head of HR at Toni & Guy, comments; “This is an important service that we would like to also offer to our franchise operators. We are confident that they will take full advantage of the opportunity as Ellis Whittam has a great reputation for providing quality advice and also has industry leading client satisfaction levels.”
Deven Thakrar, CEO at Ellis Whittam added; “We are looking forward to providing the Toni & Guy group and all of its franchisees with our high quality service and supporting them with their diverse employment law, HR and health and safety needs.”
Toni & Guy and Essensuals franchisees who take up the service will also have access to Ellis Whittam’s on-line employment law / HR resource where they can access and download personalised employment law information, staff handbooks and other associated support materials.
National Pharmacy Association Appoints Ellis Whittam
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has appointed Ellis Whittam to provide employment law and HR support to its 4,000 members and 12,500 pharmacy branches across the UK.
The appointment of Ellis Whittam will give NPA members access to employment law and HR advice and guidance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via telephone, email or online. The service, which is seen as a key NPA membership benefit, means members will receive guidance, interpretation and advice on the law in important areas such as absence and sickness, contracts of employment, holiday entitlement, disciplinary and grievance procedure as well as flexible working.
Sue Wiseman, Head of Human Resources at NPA, said: “This is a valuable element of the NPA membership. We selected Ellis Whittam as they have a great reputation for providing quality support and have industry leading client satisfaction levels. We hope our members take full advantage of the service offered and build strong and lasting business relationships with their dedicated support team.”
Mark Ellis, founder and Chairman of Ellis Whittam, comments: “This is a great win for Ellis Whittam and reflects the market leading quality of service provided by the Ellis Whittam Team.”
Deven Thakrar, CEO at Ellis Whittam, added: “Ellis Whittam was chosen by NPA from a final shortlist of three – the other two being the UK’s largest fixed fee support providers. NPA’s decision to work with Ellis Whittam is illustrative of a flight to quality of service in the HR support marketplace, where organisations are increasingly looking for quality of service and the real value that can be added to their organisation, as opposed to size of provider and cost. This is a very exciting time for a business like Ellis Whittam. We are looking forward to providing NPA members with our high quality service and supporting them with their diverse employment law and HR needs.”
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Nick has many professional accreditations including CMIOSH and MIIRSM, is a member of the IOSH Council and is an accredited trainer for IOSH and CIEH. Nick has a track record of translating legislation and obligation into practical workplace solutions.
There are two courses available. The one day Directing Safely course is aimed at employers with senior level responsibilities and provides delegates with the required strategic guidance and outlines their legal obligations. The four day Managing Safely course is designed for individuals who have more hands-on, day to day responsibilities. Ideally, each organisation should send representatives to both courses.
Colleagues organised a series of activities throughout November including the long-established BBC Children in Need breakfast, followed by the traditional sweet shop experience, Pudsey inspired games, master chef and master bake off’s, children’s art competitions, raffles, dress down days and sports activities. The endless list of events closed with a garden fete featuring golf and boules games, musical chairs, tug of war and the legendary It’s A Knockout.