Protect

To access these services please visit the protection page on the Chamber website or call our membership team on 01223 237414.

DUTY OF CARE FOR EMPLOYERS

HEALTH & SAFETY: MYTHS VS FACTS

Employers have a duty of care to employees in relation to Health and Safety. This duty extends to both the employee’s physical and mental welfare. With the current cost of living crisis, employers can support their employees during these tough economic times.

HOW CAN AN EMPLOYER ASSIST A WORKER FINANCIALLY AS THEY DEAL WITH THE RISING COST OF LIVING?

Employers have no obligation to increase salaries unless there is a contractual obligation to conduct agreed annual salary reviews. Some larger employers have decided to increase salaries to help with the cost of living. Employers may also consider paying a one-off bonus and paying contributions towards energy and broadband costs for employees who work from home. Other employers will look towards non-fiscal ways to support staff. Employees could be encouraged to use the cycle-to-work scheme to help with fuel savings and salary sacrifice savings for the employee. The Trade Union Congress has asked the government to increase the National Minimum Wage to £15.00 an hour for all age groups. They want to achieve this target by 2030. The Low Pay Commission has recommended that the National Minimum Wage reach a level of two-thirds of average earnings by October 2024.

HOW CAN AN EMPLOYER SUPPORT EMPLOYEE’S MENTAL WELLBEING?

During a crisis, employers should recognise that an employees mental health can be affected in a diverse number of ways. Employers should adopt effective communication skills to listen to employee concerns. Employers can provide their duty of care in this area. Where employers have employee help schemes for counselling they should be used. Employers can function as mentors to help employees learn good financial budgeting skills. The simplest way to do this is to signpost employees to useful websites which have information and tools for budgeting. Where employees have debt issues, they can be directed to organisations giving free advice. Employers can continue or adopt home and hybrid working as a solution to help employees save costs on fuel and transport. Employers should note that for some employees, homeworking may not be attractive due to the cost of heating their homes during the winter months. This article is for guidance only. Should you have any enquiries about supporting employees with the cost-of-living crisis please call the experienced advisors using the Chamber Four Services helpline on 01455 852037.

1. How often should you review your risk assessments?

Risk assessments should be reviewed at least every 12 months, or sooner if something changes (a person who has a role/responsibilities within the risk assessment, or a process/machine changes).

2. Can we conduct PAT (testing) internally?

Yes, you can, but only if you have someone who is suitably trained and competent to conduct this training. You must also have the correct equipment to do this (a

PAT machine).

3. I understand the classification of ladders has changed, what are the new classes?

Ladders were classified as:

Class 1 (industrial), Class 2 (light trade), Class 3 (domestic).

However, they are now reclassified as EN131 Professional and EN131 Non-

Professional. The weight limit is the same (150kg) but the professional standard tests are more vigorous. Please be aware the EN131 standard is a

European standard and may change with the changes in legislation as the formalisation of documentation takes place due to Brexit.

4. How many Risk Assessments do I need?

You must conduct a risk assessment for everything that presents a hazard, the five steps to risk assessing are:

1. Review your assessment and update it as required 2. Record and implement your findings 3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions 4. Decide who may be harmed and how 5. Identify the hazards.

PROTECT

Did you know as a member you have access to a debt recovery service that is included in your membership fee?

Members can get free debt recovery advice through the Chamber Legal advice line and can access free template letters in the Chamber Legal document library. Additional services are available including a solicitors chaser letter from just £25.00. For free debt recovery advice call Chamber Legal on 01455 852037. To access template documents go to https://chambercambs.questcover.com/login

CHAMBER FOUR SERVICES

Chamber Four Services provides Chamber members with the following services as part of your membership:

• 5 Advice Lines – HR, legal, health & safety, tax and VAT • 3 Document Libraries – HR, Legal, Health & Safety that contains almost 800 templated documents • £1,000,000 Legal Expenses Insurance – includes employment cover and Tax Enquiry cover

Visit https://chambercambs.questcover.com/login or call the helpline on 01455 852037. If you don’t know your log-in details to access this service, please give the team a call on 01223 237414.