Pictured above: (l-r) Helen Blackburn, managing director of
Oaklands Wealth Management, Fergal Dowling, partner with Irwin
Mitchell and Mary Hendry, managing director of Key
Personnel
Dozens of business representatives attended an important seminar
in Birmingham which offered firms crucial advice on two new forms
of legislation which are set to affect all businesses.
Helen Blackburn, managing director of Sutton Coldfield based
Oaklands Wealth Management, hosted the recent breakfast seminar
with Mary Hendry, managing director of Birmingham company Key
Personnel.
Helen and Mary were also joined by Fergal Dowling, partner with
Irwin Mitchell, who talked about the legal aspects of both pieces
of legislation.
The event which was held at the Studio in Cannon Street turned
out to be an overwhelming success with 35 business bosses from
firms situated all over the West Midlands attending the
seminar.
Helen spoke to them about the Company Pensions Reform set to be
introduced from 2012 while Mary outlined the impact of the
Temporary Workers legislation that is coming into force in
October.
Following the success of the seminar Helen said:"It was a really
successful event and we both received some very good feedback from
business representatives who came along on the day. We were
delighted with the response we received from business men and women
who had travelled from all over the West Midlands to
attend."
And Helen wanted to advise businesses who were still unprepared
for the new legislation to take heed and act accordingly.
She added: "Whether you like it or not this new legislation will
affect you sooner than you think. So the earlier you are prepared
the better. Unfortunately most firms are utterly unaware of what is
involved or the draconian penalties if you fail to comply, which
mount every day."
Mary spoke of the issues facing companies taking on temporary
workers who under the new rules of the Temporary Workers
Legislation will have to give the same rights as permanent staff
after 12 weeks employment. This will affect pay and other terms and
conditions and will lead to legal action by temporary employees if
they are unfairly treated.
Mary said: "Anyone employing temporary staff should see the
regulations as an opportunity for an open and honest chat with
their recruitment agency. Talk to your agency about the future of
temporary staff in your business and how they, the agency, can help
you to stay compliant."
The Company Pensions Reform will mean that from 2012 onwards
businesses will have to comply with the new pension requirements
facing hefty fines every day if they are not ready.
Every business must automatically enrol employees into a pension
scheme and pay pension contributions for employees who join the
pension scheme.
Businesses will have to comply with the new laws even if they
have an existing workplace pension scheme.
The real danger is that companies leave it to the last minute
unaware of the complexities, pitfalls and costs of setting up such
a scheme.