Tips on managing employee annual leave, boring but important – your organisation’s health and safety policy, plus how city centre declines could open up opportunities
At MLS Accountancy, we understand that managing employee annual leave can be tricky, so today we will offer you top tips on how to ensure that your staff take the break they deserve whilst simultaneously you are able to keep your business running efficiently. Plus, it might not be the most exciting of tasks, but creating a health and safety policy can be crucial to keeping your employees safe during their working day.
Managing workforce holiday: A guide for business owners
This summer has brought with it several major sporting events – The Euros, Wimbledon and the Tour de France are currently all in progress, and the Olympics begin later in July. While this can be good news for businesses working in hospitality and retail, there can also be a dip in productivity as employees take time off or become distracted during major matches or events.
Some businesses adopt flexible working hours or set up viewing areas to maintain their employees’ morale and engagement.
However, it may be worth reviewing your holiday policies. Managing employee holidays can be a bit of a balancing act at the best of times, but with some thoughtful planning, you can keep your business running smoothly while ensuring your team gets the break they deserve. Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Craft a Clear Policy
First things first, have a straightforward holiday policy in place. Make sure it covers how holidays are accrued, the procedure for booking time off, and any blackout periods when holidays aren’t allowed. Clear communication is key here.
2. Plan Ahead
Keep an annual holiday calendar. This will help you see at a glance who’s off and when, so you can plan ahead. Try to encourage your team to spread their holidays throughout the year to avoid everyone wanting time off at once.
3. Embrace Technology
Use HR software to manage holiday requests and approvals. It makes tracking who’s off and when a breeze and ensures everyone’s requests are handled fairly and promptly.
4. Encourage Early Requests
Get your team to put in their holiday requests early. The earlier you know who wants time off, the better you can plan. This also helps avoid any last-minute rushes for the same dates.
5. Cross-Train Your Team
Cross-training your staff means your business can still run smoothly even when someone is off. It’s a good way to ensure no single employee is irreplaceable for everyday tasks.
6. Monitor and Adjust
Regularly review your holiday policy and how it’s working. Get feedback from your team and be ready to make changes if necessary. Flexibility can go a long way in keeping everyone happy.
7. Promote Work-Life Balance
Encourage your employees to use their holiday entitlement. It’s important for their well-being and helps prevent burnout. Make it a point to respect their time off by not contacting them about work unless it’s absolutely necessary.
By following these tips, you can create a harmonious work environment where employees feel valued and rested and able to enjoy the events that matter to them, and your business can thrive even when team members are on holiday.
New business? Have you thought about your health and safety policy?
Running a business comes with a myriad of responsibilities, and ensuring the safety of your employees should be at the top of your list. Here’s why having a health and safety policy is crucial, backed by UK legal requirements:
1. Stay Legally Compliant
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, all employers, regardless of size, must provide a safe working environment. This means having a documented health and safety policy if you have five or more employees. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines or legal action, which could be devastating for a small business.
2. Protect Your Employees
Your employees are your most valuable asset. A health and safety policy shows that you care about their well-being. This can boost morale and productivity, as employees feel safer and more valued.
3. Financial Safeguard
Accidents can be costly. They can lead to lost workdays, increased insurance premiums, and potential compensation claims. By proactively managing risks through a health and safety policy, you can minimize these costs and protect your bottom line.
4. Enhance Your Reputation
Having a solid health and safety policy enhances your reputation. Customers, clients, and potential employees will see you as a responsible and caring employer. This can give you a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent.
5. Risk Management
Regularly updating your health and safety policy allows you to identify and mitigate risks before they become major issues. This proactive approach can prevent small problems from escalating into costly accidents or legal battles.
6. Employee Retention
A safe and supportive work environment is a key factor in employee retention. Workers are more likely to stay with a company that prioritizes their safety, reducing turnover and the associated costs of hiring and training new staff.
Practical Steps to Implement a Health and Safety Policy
- Assess Risks: Regularly conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards in your workplace.
- Create a Policy: Document your health and safety policy, outlining procedures for reporting hazards, emergency protocols, and employee responsibilities.
- Training: Ensure all employees receive adequate health and safety training relevant to their roles.
- Review and Update: Regularly review and update your policy to reflect any changes in your business operations or legislation.
By following these steps, you’ll not only comply with UK law but also foster a safer, more productive work environment. Remember, a little effort in creating and maintaining a health and safety policy can go a long way in protecting your employees and your business.
For further information, take a look at the Health and Safety Executive’s website for guidance on the basics you need for your business: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/index.htm
Cities and town centres declining: Challenges and opportunities for businesses
Glasgow, one of the premier shopping destinations in Scotland, is facing significant challenges that threaten its vibrancy and economic vitality. These same challenges are affecting businesses across not only Scotland but the UK generally.
A recent report by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce highlights a decline of over 400,000 visitors to Glasgow city centre compared to the previous year, coupled with a substantial drop in retail sales.
Challenges facing cities and towns
The report highlights several factors that are contributing to Glasgow’s, and other cities and towns’, current predicament:
- Declining Footfall: A decrease in visitors and drops in in-store sales reflect shifting consumer behaviours towards online shopping and out-of-town retail parks.
- Retail Closures: Iconic stores, including Debenhams and Marks & Spencer, have closed their doors in many places, leaving significant vacancies that impact the city or town’s attractiveness to shoppers.
- Infrastructure Issues: Cleanliness and maintenance issues in some places further detract from the appeal of shopping in city or town centres.
What can you do?
A report such as this likely only confirms what you’re seeing day-to-day. What can you do to navigate these challenges proactively and safeguard your business?
Here are three practical steps you could consider:
1. Enhance Customer Experience:
It may be time to focus further on your online presence. If your website is simply a ‘brochure’ of your services, could you turn it into an e-commerce site so that you can capture shoppers who now prefer digital transactions? E-commerce platforms are now well-developed and can help you provide a robust and secure experience to your customers.
It is no longer enough to simply supply products that can be just as easily purchased from home. Look at how you could improve the ‘in-store’ experience to give your shoppers a compelling reason to visit a physical store or business. Cleanliness, ambience, and customer service are all areas that will need looking at.
2. Adapt to Changing Consumer Habits:
If consumer habits are changing, could you explore new product lines or services that cater to these preferences and changes in lifestyle?
There may be mileage too in looking at whether you can integrate your offline and online business in a way that provides a more seamless shopping experience. For instance, do people want to be able to see a sample of products in the flesh that they can then have delivered to their home?
5. Community Engagement and Branding:
Many consumers want to support local businesses and are willing to pay extra to do so. Local partnership with community organisations and other local businesses could help you to build a sense of community that encourages local patronage.
In line with many cities and towns, Glasgow faces formidable challenges, however there are clear opportunities for businesses to continue to thrive and contribute to the revival of their city or town centre.