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Book cover of Saving the Daylight by David Prerau

National Office Week says: Stop the Clock!

The clocks went forward 1 hour to British Summer Time (BST) last Sunday 30th March, and National Office Week is calling on the government to end the annual ‘Spring-forward—fall-back’ clock change by permanently securing the UK to BST.

An online petition—which has so far gathered 40,000 signatures—enables UK workers to add their voice to the growing groundswell for change.

The petition will be taken to Downing Street during National Office Week, which takes place this year from May 12–16.

“The arguments for changing the clock each year are diminishing whilst the arguments for change are gathering increasing momentum. Not only would it put the UK on a time zone parity with mainland Europe, which would suit the business community, it would considerably reduce the nation’s carbon footprint as well as put an end to the misery caused by leaving and arriving home in darkness which affects millions of workers throughout the UK.”

~ Debi Arnold, Director, National Office Week

Hand with a pointing finger Vote for or against change

 

above: Saving The Daylight by David Prerau covers the vast number of people, places, issues, events, and anecdotes that comprise the story of daylight saving time.

 

RoSPA offers free BTEC opportunity to at-work drivers

Photograph of speeding commercial land vehicleDrivers who pass RoSPA’s prestigious advanced driving test for ‘at-work’ motorists now have the opportunity to upgrade their qualification free of charge. For the first time, successful candidates who have carried out three days of RoADTest training with the safety charity can apply to Edexcel to have their qualification recognised at BTEC Level Three at no extra cost. The opportunity is available to candidates who pass their test from March onwards.

Tel: 0121 248 2105. Hand with a pointing finger More on RoSPA’s Occupational Advanced Driving Test

 

Working for a Healthier Tomorrow—fit notes not sick notes

There is a need for an urgent and comprehensive reform of Britain’s approach to health and work, a government-initiated review has concluded. ‘Working for a healthier tomorrow’ which was recently launched, national director for health and work Dame Carol Black said the report’s proposals focus on keeping people healthy at work, and also on helping them return to work if they get ill. Key recommendations include: a new Fit for Work service, to be piloted for patients in early stages of sickness; the replacement of sick notes with electronic ‘fit notes’ stating what people can do, not what they can’t; and bringing occupational health into the mainstream of healthcare provision.
Hand with a pointing finger More on ‘Working for a healthier tomorrow’
Hand with a pointing finger Report on ‘Working for a healthier tomorrow’ (PDF)

 

Unfair selling rules laid in Parliament

The Government has laid draft regulations in Parliament for a new law that will protect consumers from aggressive and other unfair sales practices. Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas confirmed that if approved in debate the Consumer Protection Regulations (CPRs) will come into force on 26th May 2008. It delivers better protections for consumers, cuts red tape and puts in place a simpler and clearer consumer law that will be easier to interpret and enforce.
Hand with a pointing finger More on Consumer Protection Regulations

 

Thousands get St Andrew’s Day holiday

Photograph of the cross of St Andrew blowing in the windStaff working for the Scottish government are to receive an additional holiday to mark St Andrew’s Day, 30th November. Last year, MSPs backed plans to allow organisations to make St Andrew’s Day a public holiday if they wanted to. As St Andrew’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, in line with the 2006 Act, the holiday will be on Monday, December 1st. This will allow staff to participate in the wide range of events which will be taking place to mark St Andrew’s Day and the start of the winter festival.
Hand with a pointing finger More on St Andrew’s Day holiday

 

Mass absence from the office

In what could be the largest mass absence from work for a generation, an estimated five million people will not be turning in to work on Thursday 15th May, according to Work Wise UK. National Work from Home Day, backed by the TUC, business groups, and major companies around the UK marks the start of Work Wise Week, running until Wednesday 21st May.
Hand with a pointing finger More on National Work from Home Day

Love in the Workplace

Employers are being urged not to ban love from the office or the factory but instead to consult its online guide to relationships at work. With the long hours culture enjoying a renaissance, and unpaid overtime on the increase, it’s no wonder that around a quarter of long-term relationships begin at work.
Hand with a pointing finger More on love in the workplace

Diary reminder for 6th April 2008

Companies are being urged to review their Health and Safety strategies, with the imminent Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, which comes into force on 6th April. This legislation will make it easier for companies to be prosecuted and impose unlimited fines on them if found guilty of an offence. This means that if an employee’s death is caused by work related stress or depression the employer can be held responsible.
Hand with a pointing finger More on Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act

 

Warning on new incapacity test

Photograph of worried business womanVulnerable workers could lose out as a result of changes to the current incapacity test, the government has been warned after chancellor Alastair Darling announced the new rules in the recent Budget. The changes will mean over 2.5 million people currently on incapacity benefit in the UK will be required to attend work capability assessments, after the chancellor said the requirement for new incapacity benefit claimants to undergo a tough new eligibility test was to be extended to existing claimants from 2010.
Hand with a pointing finger More on warning on new incapacity test

Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations

Most of the Trade Descriptions Act is due to be replaced from 26th May 2008 by the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. The new rules will create a fairer marketplace for all—protecting consumers from unscrupulous traders and small businesses from unfair competition. Decent and honest traders should have no concerns about the Consumer Protection Regulations, but for a clear description of what is considered outside the law read the guide from the Office of Fair Trading.
Hand with a pointing finger More on the Consumer Protection Regulations

Unlimited

Cover of February/March edition of Unlimited magazineReceive 25% off your subscription to Unlimited magazine, the UK’s favourite office glossy.
Hand with a pointing finger Take advantage of 25% off your subscription to Unlimited magazine

National Office Week

National Office Week brandingNational Office Week is a campaign designed to make your office life gorgeous. Over the year you will have access to all the things that you or your office needs to make it run at the optimum level of efficiency for the best possible price.

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