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Don’t let the credit crunch send your company director to jail….
The results of a FAST (Federation Against Software Theft) survey has recently reported that 79 percent of company directors would be happy to avoid buying legitimate software licences to save them money during the economic downturn, risking a penalty of 10 years in jail and an unlimited fine.
With software audits likely to be on the rise during a difficult period, businesses need to accept that keeping a control of their software licenses will be a necessity and definitely won’t be an area to cut costs. In fact by implementing a software asset management solution it will allow organisations to leverage existing IT systems, improve efficiency and reduce costs.
ManageSoft’s tips to manage software assets during a downturn include:
- Redeploy unused software licences to ensure efficient use across all of the organisation, this could easily lead to a six figure saving in future purchases
- Centralise the procurement process for purchasing software licences to ensure easy tracking
- Identify unused software and reduce associated maintenance contracts and payments
- Rationalise multiple applications that perform the same function by pulling all installed applications together into one repository to analyse
- Use centralised intelligence on software installed and used, to allow the negotiation of favourable terms with suppliers on new or renewed contracts
above: Company directors risk a penalty of 10 years in jail and an unlimited fine if they avoid buying legitimate software licences.
Landmark Victory.
Britain’s six million carers recently won a landmark victory when the European Court of Justice upheld the right of a woman who was denied time off work to look after her disabled son.
Sharon Coleman, who was forced to resign her work as a legal secretary, claimed that she suffered “discrimination by association” in breach of EU rules.
In a ground-breaking ruling the European Court judges held that an EU Directive which outlaws discrimination at work on grounds of disability is not limited to disabled people themselves but extends also to those caring for them.
The case, which was backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, could see a huge extension in flexible and part-time working, forcing employers to ensure that any flexible working policies they offer apply across the board and include those with caring responsibilities — an estimated one in four people in the workforce.
The ruling said the effective application of the law meant that the burden of proof fell on the employer, who had to show that there had been no breach of the principle of equal treatment at work.
More on the Equality and Human Rights Commission
1st Anniversary Reminder
With the first anniversary of the smoking laws in England, which prohibited people from smoking inside the workplace, employers are reminded that they have a responsibility to ensure premises are smoke free, that signs must be displayed, and that workers can be fined if they litter the streets with cigarette ends.
Judging by the level of cigarette ends outside offices, people are still unaware that under the legislation introduced one year ago it is an offence to discard cigarette ends on to the road or pavement.
Workers forced to go outside for a smoke because of the UK smoke-free law are at risk of being fined up to £80 if they are caught throwing their cigarette ends in the street, with local councils throughout the country now employing staff trained to impose on-the-spot £50 fines.
A simple solution is for companies to provide cigarette bins to encourage employees to dispose of their cigarette ends responsibly. More on the NHS’ free ‘stop smoking’ support services.
IT sector carbon emissions set to soar above Aviation
In a shocking revelation, the EU commission has stated that CO2 emissions from the Information Technology (IT) sector are comparable to that of the vilified Aviation sector and it is reportedly considering potentially fierce legislation if the industry fails to take action. The Aviation and IT sectors each generate 2% of Global CO2 emissions and the threatened new legislation will deliver businesses even more gloom in a worsening economic climate.
Fortunately, organizations can claim a substantial 30% capital allowance when deploying energy saving Intelligent Power Management, across their IT estate. Paul Eo of IT Cabling and Infrastructure specialist LS says, “The Enhanced Capital Allowance is a compelling reason for IT and Data Centre Managers to improve their energy management, reduce consumption and save money.” Source
From here to maternity
Last month the head of Britain’s equality body caused controversy by claiming that extending maternity leave has damaged women’s career prospects.
British mothers now get nine months of paid leave, but only six weeks of that is on full pay, falling to roughly a third of the average wage after that. Sweden is the most generous of the OECD countries, not only offering most time off but also paying 80% of a woman’s salary for 390 days.
For fathers, Britain offers a measly two weeks of unpaid leave, whereas in Norway and Iceland, for example, more even division of work between parents is encouraged with “father quotas”, a leave period reserved for dads on a “use it or lose it” basis. With no paid allowance at all in Australia and America, employers often have to pick up the slack.
Source Graph displaying the minimum state allowance of weeks for maternity leave (Source: Economist.com)
World Day for Decent Work: 7 October 2008
As part of the 50 days of action this autumn, the world trade union movement is holding a World Day for Decent Work on Tuesday 7 October. The day will focus on Rights at Work; Solidarity; and Ending Poverty and Inequality.
In addition to regional events throughout the country, there will be a day of workshops, films, displays and stalls and a major series of rallies in Central London. Registration for these events will be free, and organisations wishing to run workshops or activities on the day linked to these themes, or take a stall/mount an exhibition are invited to contact the TUC. More information on World Day for Decent Work (PDF, 4.1 MB)
August 2008
Sat 23rd – Sun 24th — Reading Festival
Sun 24th – Mon 25th — Nottinghill Carnival
Mon 25th — Summer Bank Holiday
September 2008
Tue 16th – Fri 19th — National Incentive Show — NEC, Birmingham
Mon 22nd — First Day of Autumn
Tue 23rd – Thu 25th — National Venue Show — Birmingham
October 2008
Self Assessment returns — New deadline of October 2008 for paper returns
Thu 16th — Boss’s Day
Tue 21st — Trafalgar Day
Sat 25th — New issue of Unlimited Magazine
Sun 26th — Summer Time Ends, clocks go back
Fri 31st — Halloween
November 2008
Mon 3rd — London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
Wed 5th — Bonfire Night
Sat 8th — Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks
Sun 9th — Remembrance Day
Wed 19th – Thu 20th — National Executive PA Conference — Brighton
Wed 26th – Thu 27th — Times Crème Show — Manchester
Thu 27th — Thanksgiving
Sun 30th — St Andrew’s Day
December 2008
Sun 21st — Winter Solstice
Wed 24th — Christmas Eve
Thu 25th — Christmas Day
Fri 26th — Boxing Day, St Stephen’s Day
Wed 31st — New Year’s Eve
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