7 minute read
New Products 50 The Baby Products Association
The brand that parents trust www.clippasafe.co.uk
Evolve with
Ergobaby
The Evolve Home Collection is a new category of Ergobaby products, created to simplify parents and carers’ lives, and grow with baby from day one.
The first product in the new collection is the Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer. From a cosy newborn lounger, to a calming infant bouncer, to a fun toddler seat, Evolve is suitable from birth (5lb 8oz/2.5kg) to toddlerhood (29 lbs/13.2kg).
Developed with guidance from a paediatric orthopaedist, the bouncer comes with a removable ergonomic newborn insert and supports baby from head to hips, creating an ergonomic M-shaped positioning in baby’s hips and helping to prevent flat head syndrome.
service@ergobaby.co.uk www.ergobaby.co.uk
Laid back luxury
The new i-Level Recline looks every inch the fashion statement with its plush and luxurious fabrics, cosy quilted details and vegan leather accents – but it’s not just a pretty face.
Partner the i-Level Recline with the i-Base Encore for a spinning system with laid back luxury. Parents can rest assured that their precious cargo is in safe hands with the exclusive Tri-Protect headrest featuring Intelli-Fit memory foam that has been specially engineered for optimal head and neck security. Alterations on the go are effortless with the i-Level Recline, thanks to the headrest and harness that adjust simultaneously, while the easy to remove, full body insert keeps tiny travellers nestled in safety. i-Base Encore Sold Separately
uksales@joiebaby.com
Fast and eco-friendly food prep
Innovative parenting brand Béaba has done it again! Adding to its revolutionary Babycook range, the NEW Babycook Solo Express has arrived.
Parents who are looking for the fastest Baby Food Steamer Blender on the block, but are also mindful of the environment, need look no further. The Babycook Solo Express by BÉABA has both Express and Eco-cooking mode. With its large bowl and patented paddle within the steaming basket, which rotates every 30-seconds for faster cooking. Parents can steam, blend, defrost and reheat baby food to create delicious and nutritious meals within minutes.
For trade enquiries contact the below:
natalie.jackson@beaba.com
Robert Anslow Managing Director
If your company is a member of the Baby Products Association and you are not currently receiving members’ e-bulletins with industry updates, but would like to, please email julie@b-p-a.org who will add you to the database.
www.b-p-a.org BPA notice board Is a member of staff
giving you a headache?
December should be full of joy – out comes the Christmas tree and mince pies – but for many companies, it is also an incredibly busy time trying to fulfil orders before everyone puts up their feet for the festivities. So whilst the majority of the team is pulling its weight and making it happen, what if you have one spanner in the works? One person who for whatever reason simply isn’t performing?
In a webinar presented by Hema Mistry, director of Quest, she explains an employer’s responsibility not only to its failing member of staff, but also to the people working around them who might also be affected. Hema explains: “We had a situation where a company was losing staff at an unprecedented rate. It appeared a good place to work, but for some reason, great people just didn’t want to stay. On further investigation, it turned out that one member of staff was under-achieving and the brunt of their responsibilities was being offloaded making work life untenable.”
Hema explained that when a member of staff is underachieving, it is the employer’s responsibility to help that person improve, stating: “It is important to distinguish between poor performance and laziness. For example, poor performance is a can do, but can’t do situation – i.e. they don’t have the knowledge or skills to carry out the task. Laziness is a can do, but won’t do situation (for example, continually arriving to work late with no justifiable reason). In this case it is a conduct matter.
Companies can find themselves in deep water when it comes to unfair dismissal claims, so getting it right is imperative. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) applies to performance matters so managing poor performance at an early stage is hugely important. If it is ignored, it could be argued that the employer tolerated the performance and allowed it to continue, leading the employee to believe it was acceptable. Managers who avoid dealing with performance issues can face confrontation, time consuming procedures and potential impact on the morale and motivation of their entire team.
Hema said: “It is important to begin monitoring staff performance from the very beginning. Even if a new member of staff is on probation, any conversations regarding their performance and how they can improve should be noted. It would be unfair for someone to consistently underachieve during their three month probation period, but no mention be made on how they can improve and do better until they are asked to leave.
“Communication is key. Managers should set the scene for performance standards and expectations from the beginning. If a member of staff is not reaching those standards, then it is the responsibility of the employer to provide additional support in terms of training – this could perhaps be in the form of shadowing a colleague with more experience.”
Once a performance issue has been identified, the employer must allow a reasonable time to improve before progressing to formal procedures. This could include an action plan outlining improvement needed and timescales and also the consequences of failing to meet the required performance standards. ACAS will require at least one opportunity to improve, so it is imperative to record support and training offered and to regularly review the employee’s progress.
Performance management can be daunting, but Baby Products Association members don’t have to go it alone as they have 24/7 access to Quest’s FREE support line. Hema explains: “If you have a member of staff you are concerned about, the highly experienced Quest team is on the end of a phone to help you. We can talk you through procedures and help you plan your action. This service will be ongoing right from the beginning when the problem is identified until it is resolved.”
If you are an Association member, you can access the Quest helpline by calling 0116 243 7605 and giving your membership details.
The Baby Products Association has been advised by the Office for Product Safety and Standards of an urgent safety alert for baby self-feeding pillows and urges the public to stop using these products immediately and dispose of them safely.
Businesses selling these products must immediately remove them from the market as they cannot comply with the safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
Baby self-feeding pillow products are designed to be attached to a bottle so that the baby may be positioned on its back to self-feed without the assistance of a caregiver holding the bottle and controlling the feed.
This is inconsistent with NHS guidance in relation to safe bottle feeding. When used as intended, even whilst under the supervision of a caregiver, it could lead to immediate, serious harm or death from choking or aspiration pneumonia.
Consumers, local authority trading standards services and businesses are asked to take specific action to cease use or remove these products from the market.
To read the full article visit: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reportsrecalls/product-safety-alert-baby-self-feeding-pillows-slash-prop-feeders-psa3
