Welcome to the latest from Be HQ!
20th February 2012 - Trekking Kilimanjaro for British Heart Foundation
Angela Brunton, Be Managing Director, will be trekking the tallest mountain in Africa later this year as she attempts to raise a hearty sum for the British Heart Foundation! Angela will be climbing to the roof of the world up Mount Kilimanjaro and she's hoping to raise over £10,000 for this fantastic good cause.
If you'd like to support then click on www.justgiving.com/Angelab or you can donate by text - just send KILI51 £5 to 70070 and 100% of your donation reaches the charity.
We'll be posting lots more about Angela's progress over the next few months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15th February 2012 - Industry News
UNFAIR DISMISSAL CHANGES ON APRIL 6 2012
For employees whose employment begins on or after 6th April 2012, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal rights will increase from one to two years. ie this right would only kick in after a person has completed 2 years of continuous employment.
Those already in employment before this date will retain their current rights.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25th January 2012 - GLA Updates Issue 16 & 17
Click on the links for some useful information about using Romanian and Bulgarian workers in the UK, as well as how Licensing applies to businesses outside the UK.
Issue 16 - How Licensing applies to businesses outwith the UK
Issue 17 - Employing and Supplying Romanian and Bulgarian workers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24th January 2012 - Client Survey Results 2011
We have just published the results from our annual Client Survey and we're very proud of the feedback from everyone who took part. We will strive to maintain these high standards of service delivery in 2012.
If you'd like to see the overview of the results, just click here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17th January 2012 - Industry News
From 1st February 2012 new Tribunal awards come into force
- Maximum limit on a week's pay will increase from £400 to £430.
- Maximum unfair dismissal compensatory award will increase from £68,400 to £72,300 for dismissals taking effect on or after 1 February 2012.
New Statutory Payment Rates from April 2012
- Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption rates will increase from £128.73 to £135.45.
- Statutory sick pay will increase from £81.60 to £85.85.
- Maternity allowance will increase from £124.88 to £135.45.
- Unfair Dismissal - qualifying period of service to bring an unfair dismissal claim will increase from one year to two years.
- Costs Awards - the maximum amount of costs a Tribunal will be able to award will increase from £10,000 to £20,000.
- Judges to sit alone in Unfair Dismissal cases - unfair dismissal cases may be heard by a judge sitting alone without lay members.
- Deposit Orders - the amount of deposit order a tribunal will be able to order a Claimant to pay will increase from £500 to £1,000.
- Witness Statements - unless a judge directs otherwise, witness statements in England will be taken as read.
Parental Leave Directive
- The government has until 8 April 2012 to bring the UK into line with the Parental Leave Directive which increases parental leave from 3 to 4 months. To date, there has been no draft legislation put forward by the government but commentators are expecting the change to take effect from that date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13th January 2012 - New Be Brief published
Our latest industry newsletter is updated and the new edition is all about Social Media. As we enter the tweeting and facebook-checking world we discuss the features and benefits and how businesses can achieve serious benefits from adopting a social strategy. This edition is compiled by Stuart Duffy our Business Consultant.
Read the latest Be Brief here. Check our previous editions here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9th January 2012 - Exclusive Offer for all Be Supporters!
Get your hands on the latest sports kit from our partners Pure Sports and you'll be eligible for 10% off all orders made before 29th February 2012! Just quote our exclusive discount code BP-819234 at the checkout on all web or telephone orders to receive your discount. Click on the links below to get started.
www.pure-football.com www.pure-rugby.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd January 2012 - Help For Heroes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd January 2012 - "BE..lieving in Knox!"
Knox Academy recently took delivery of a brand new rugby kit for the entire team thanks to a local businesswoman. The school's Under-15 team is now sporting full kits sponsored by Be Personnel Ltd. Owned and run by Angela Brunton, who lives in nearby Pencaitland, the business specialises in temporary and permanent recruitment, training, consultancy and executive search for businesses across the country.
Angela told us that son Rorie was over the moon with the donation since he's a keen rugby player and member of the team! "When Rorie was selected for the team I was really proud, but was surprised to learn how much the school needs to raise for all the kit. The team are all fantastic and I wanted to help in some way so approached the school to ask what they needed. I guess it's my way of giving something back to the school and the community that serves my family so well."
Having their first ever shirt sponsor is a proud moment too for Andy Lambert, Sport & Physical Activity Co-ordinator for the school. "I'm so pleased Angela and her business were able to step-up and make this donation for the team. It takes several thousand pounds to keep the teams going over just a 12-month period and so any funding is always a bonus, but this is just tremendous. The team love the new shirts!"
The team, who are a composite S2/S3 side, have been up against some tough opposition recently in Royal High and Dunbar, but managed a comfortable win over Ross High which both team and supporters were pleased with. The team are hoping for more good news soon as a number of the strongest players have been put forward for selection in the East Lothian U15 trials coming up in December.
