< Previous40 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk HEALTHCARE investing in a transforming desk that allows for standing whether from personal expenses or by asking your employer (especially if homeworking will the company norm post-pandemic). On a similar subject, workers should get up and move around by doing stretching exercises. There are hundreds of short easy tutor-led yoga exercises on YouTube that can even be done in a suit if needed. Just search work or desk yoga and try one that jumps out at you. Although one is unlikely to have witnesses if they are injured when working at home, the checklist of what they should do remains the same as the Citizens Advice Bureau explains: “Having records of your accident will be useful if you make a claim for compensation or you need to claim benefits, including Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).” Recording your accident can be as simply as reporting it at work and seeing a doctor, however it’s also advised ot take photos of your injury and whatever caused your accident, as well as getting the contact details for anyone that might have witnessed the accident. Moreover, make notes about your accident as soon as possible. Home workers may not believe they are entitled to compensation if their accident happened in the home, rather than the office, but employers have a duty to take reasonable care for worker safety (regardless of where they’re based). As the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 don’t apply to domestic premises, employers are still expected to take reasonable care for the safety of homeworkers. However, it’s worth noting that the extent of this duty would be limited due to the lack of control your employer has over your home. As homeworkers have control over their home environment, rather than their employer, the onus of looking after their safety lies with themselves, but, as we’ve already explored, their employer is expected to provide tools and skills to do so and to maintain the appropriate equipment for workers to carry out the work. Therefore, if a worker was to suffer and accident whilst working at home, the employer would generally only be responsible if it was due to their negligence, meaning that they had failed to take reasonable care for your safety and the accident was due to that negligence. Whether or not an accident occurred at the home or office during work hours, employees shouldn’t feel powerless and unable to do anything about it. Among many other things, the pandemic has heightened the importance of health and the responsibilities of employees to safeguard their staff. As we continue to transition back towards normalcy, the increased focus of health, safety and hygiene are lessons we need to carry into the future. © Shutterstock /Creative Lab 38-40.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:57 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 41 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY The business hospitality and events sector has seen schedules wiped out over the past year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the same goes for companies organising their own in-person meetings, seminars, conferences et al. With the anniversary of lockdown 1.0 having just passed, businesses, suppliers and events professionals have been pushed to the brink of collapse. There is light at the end of the tunnel however, now that the Government’s “cautious” roadmap out of lockdown has been published and progress is made with vaccinations. Here Business Link considers the different aspects of corporate hospitality that may soon resume based on the Government’s plan, as long as it remains on track. A staple in corporate hospitality, golfing has just been given the go-ahead to resume (starting on 29 March), but there is much more to come as restrictions ease. No earlier than 12 April This month, one might choose to take advantage of the reopening of hospitality venues outside for al fresco wining and dining of clients - perhaps as a thank you or to grease the wheels - and general meetings. From 12 April restaurants, cafes, and pubs can serve people outdoors, though customers must order, eat and drink while seated. Fortunately, there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcohol - say goodbye to the Scotch egg debate - if a simple meet up for a drink is preferred. It is of course important to remember the rules of meeting others for this, with the Rule of 42 Á The return of in-person corporate hospitality © Shutterstock /Kzenon With the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, in-person corporate hospitality has come back into view. 41-43.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:59 Page 142 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Six applying for groups from different households. No earlier than 17 May At this point outdoor performances will resume, and most outdoor social contact rules will be lifted (although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal). Meanwhile indoor socialising will be possible again within the Rule of Six and indoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen, making client meals more feasible now they are able to withstand the typical flux in English weather! In addition, by this date the Government is planning to allow larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower), as well as those in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower). In the largest outdoor seated venues where crowds can spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower). This will see another key aspect of entertaining and securing clients resume through sports, theatre and concert halls, enabling more tailored hospitality that presents clients with a memorable and enjoyable experience in a less formal environment for networking, strengthening relationships, and promoting a business. When choosing an event, though, remember why it is needed; are you meeting new clients, building a relationship, rewarding custom? It is also important to consider if the form of corporate hospitality chosen meets your company’s image, values and ethos. On 17 May the accommodation sector is also to open up for nonessential © Shutterstock /sattahipbeach 41-43.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:59 Page 2www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 43 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY domestic overnight stays, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs, making visiting clients easier. No earlier than 21 June By the end of June it is proposed that all legal limits on social contact be removed, with restrictions also lifted on large events and performances that applied in the previous step in May. Transitioning to any new step easing restrictions will be under review, subject to four tests from the Government; considering whether the vaccine rollout is successfully continuing, if there is evidence that vaccines are effectively reducing hospitalisations and deaths, if infection rates are risking a surge in hospitalisations, and any new concerning variants of COVID-19. Whether or not the country is able to keep in line with this plan and infection rates continue to fall, it is clear that a hopeful sense of normalcy is on the horizon. With corporate hospitality completely altered in the last year, one might want to brush up on the Bribery Act. In guidance released for the act in 2011, Kenneth Clarke, Secretary of State for Justice, said: “Combating the risks of bribery is largely about common sense.” He continued: “Rest assured – no one wants to stop firms getting to know their clients by taking them to events like Wimbledon or the Grand Prix.” The act is rather to prevent bribery framed as entertainment. For an offence to be made, prosecution has to show that a client has been offered something with the purpose of bringing about improper performance or to push them to act in a dishonest manner. While hospitality can be used to exercise influence on clients, it is acceptable so long as it is reasonable and proportionate. © Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images 41-43.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:59 Page 344 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK The motor industry at a glance 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 09:01 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 45 AUTOLINK © Shutterstock /Jenson With lockdown apparently set to lift soon and life hopefully returning to normal, it’s time to look at the automotive industry and take an industry snapshot. The automotive industry is one of the UK’s longest running, and it is also one of the manufacturing markets that the UK continues to compete in internationally, despite higher wage costs and overheads than other countries. Our region hosts numerous automotive manufacturing factories, making it a noticeable part of the regional economy, the impact of which can and will be felt. With showrooms set to open again on April 12th (if all goes to plan) the market may soon be facing an upturn, but according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this is of even more critical importance due to the worrying trends and figures recorded this year. These include UK car production dropping fourteen per cent in February alone, a loss of over 17,000 units, with overseas orders dropping eight per cent and home orders (within the UK) falling a whopping thirty-four per cent. This is based on the year-to-date 46 Á 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 09:01 Page 246 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK from February 2020 which, it is important to note, was also impacted by coronavirus, so this isn’t solely the cause of the pandemic. Overseas markets remained reasonably healthy for the UK automotive industry, falling the least and also accounting for 83.2 per cent of all cars made in the month of February. Of these, 53.2 per cent were destined to the EU, showing what an important trading partner they are and how necessary it is that Brexit transitions go well. What may come as a surprise is that the production of battery electric plug-in vehicles (BEV) surged twenty-five per cent in the month, marking a sudden and positive shift toward electric vehicles that could well pave the way for more electric cars in our region along with a fresh boost to the economy. However, this is immediately tempered by what the SSMT has called a “counter-intuitive decision” by the Government to cut the current UK electric car incentives. This is doubly surprising when a recent survey revealed that businesses were twice as likely as consumers to make the switch from petrol/diesel to electric. The SMMT argues that more needs to be done to support the infrastructure of the BEV market, including more plug in charge points and incentives for businesses and consumers to move to electric vehicles, if the target of making electric vehicles affordable and accessible to all by 2030 is to be achieved. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, had the following to say: “While last year’s bumper uptake of electric vehicles is to be welcomed, it’s clear this has been an electric revolution primarily for fleets, not families. Manufacturers are committed to the consumer, reducing costs and providing as wide a choice as possible of zero-emission capable vehicles with many more to come. When every market is vying for these new technologies, a clear and collaborative strategy engaging all would ensure the UK remains an attractive place both to manufacture and market electric vehicles, helping us achieve our net zero ambition.” © Shutterstock /sylv1rob1 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 09:01 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 47 AUTOLINK When it comes to fleets, the numbers in the industry are also surprising – and revealing. Light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations were up twenty-two per cent in February as businesses invested in their van fleets. However, what is surprising is precisely how this has taken place. Registrations of vans below 2.5 tonnes, those synonymous with the white van man style of vehicle, have dropped twenty-five per cent on the previous year, while larger vans over 2.5 tonnes have reversed the trend and increased thirty per cent. The rigids market has meanwhile dropped twenty-two per cent, but this may have something to do with the implementation of lockdown, since rigids are most commonly known and seen as transport for retailers and supermarkets delivering shopping to doors, so it may have been that larger investment went into fleets of those when lockdown was implemented. Registrations of pick-ups has increased 26.8 per cent on February 2020. What these figures suggest is that businesses are seeking more bang for their buck, with larger vans being prioritised over the ones we’re used to seeing on the roads. While there are ups and downs across the entire LCV range, the overall figures are up twenty-two per cent, a healthy rise on last year. These figures were also compared February to February, with plate changes taking place last month in March, so we can hope the figures will increase further since the new “motor year” rolled around. In short, the automotive industry isn’t faring as badly as some others have been, but it’s important that the transition from lockdown to open showrooms is handled smoothly. Domestic sales are lagging behind international, and that may become harder in the future due to Brexit. If the Government invests more in electric charging stations – or if our regional authorities do the same – we may also be able to take advantage of a growing interest among businesses in fully electric fleets. Without incentives, however, it may be too much to ask already hard pressed businesses to invest alone. © Shutterstock /Alexandru Nika 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 09:01 Page 448 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FAMILY BUSINESS The ins and outs of 48-50.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 13:09 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 49 FAMILY BUSINESS According to the Institute of Family Business, two thirds of businesses in the UK are family-owned. That’s 4.8 million in all, 16,000 of which are medium and large businesses. In Yorkshire and the Humber alone, there are some 70,000 family business employers. Some are fledgling companies, others have been established for hundreds of years, but together family businesses generate over a quarter of UK Gross Domestic Pound. It isn’t just their production output and financial contribution that makes this sector such an indispensable part of the British economy, but also what it offers in terms of recruitment. Family firms employ approximately 12.2 million people in the UK and account for forty-seven per cent of private sector employment. The familiarity between family members means that they might behave with one another in a way they wouldn’t with unrelated employees. And working with family members runs the risk of bringing household drama into the workplace. Not only can this create tensions between related employees but can also make working life difficult for all staff. It’s inevitable that any family-run businesses serious about growth will have to look outside the clan when recruiting. Ensuring that these staff members can work free of bickering is critical. If not, a business is likely to struggle holding onto talent which can seriously scupper growth plans. One of the other potential threats for family businesses is nepotism, or rather the appearance of favouring one staff member over another simply because they’re related to you. It has to be said, family business As the backbone of the British economy, family-run businesses are invaluable but, as we explore, they aren’t without their challenges. 50 Á © Shutterstock /Minerva Studio 48-50.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 13:09 Page 2Next >