< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk LEGAL SERVICES The law is changing, and it’s best to keep abreast of the changes even if you’re prepared to leave the details to legal specialists. K eeping on top of legal matters and changes is important in any business, but while the nitty- gritty of the law is best left to professionals, it’s still advantageous to be aware of changing laws yourself and familiarise your business with what is to come in the year ahead. Many upcoming laws that’ll effect our region are targeted at the labour market – predominantly because of the employment crisis the country is facing. Many of these are set to favour workers over employers, which has traditionally always been the case, but some are more necessary now than ever before due to weakened employee protections from leaving the EU. There are also a lot of contentious practices being used by less scrupulous companies that some of these proposed law changes will target. First of all, let’s look at the most obvious and well-known: the increase to the National Living Wage coming in on the 1st of April. This is unlikely to come as a surprise to anyone, and many business owners will be aware of it. Still, for completion’s sake, the hourly rate for over 23’s will be increasing to £10.42 per hour, with marginally lower rates for those below 23. Getting this right is important because HMRC can impose The changing landscape of employment law 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:47 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link LEGAL SERVICES © stock.adobe.com/Natee Meepian fines of up to £20,000 per employee who is paid below that rate – and you’re unlikely to be keeping them when they find out, either. Tied into this are increases to maternity, paternity, and sick pay – with the rates rising from £156.66 per week to £172.48 per week, and sick pay raising from £99.35 per week to £109.40 per week. Specifically talking about law changes, the biggest – and one of the more controversial – changes is that of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022. Colloquially known as the “Brexit Freedoms Bill” this law seeks to put British law above EU law when it comes to employees, which many have rightly pointed out will mean less protections and less rights for British workers. The sunset date for these laws is December 2023 and there are implications that pregnant women could suffer greatly unless new UK laws are put into place. Many protections for pregnant women in the workplace where enshrined from EU laws. It’s difficult to predict what will happen come December 2023, and the “sunset period” can be extended all the way to 2026 if the Govt feel it necessary. The UK has claimed that worker’s rights and employment will be protected, but many of the EU laws already do that, so it could feasibly be that the exact same laws will be enacted but by the UK, thus allowing the government to claim it “got rid of those nasty EU laws” while introducing the exact same laws under a more patriotic coat of paint. A new bill proposed in parliament called the Worker’s (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill could also see the government take aim at zero hour contracts, long held in low esteem by much of the country. This bill is set to target the unpredictability of the work, with employees able to petition their company for more predictable and set working hours. It also sets numerous other terms and conditions such as a guarantee that all tips and gratuity will reach the worker, and that pregnant women and those on maternity leave will have greater protection from redundancy. Which laws will impact which businesses will always depend on the individual business in question, but that’s why it’s so important to keep your legal team on call. We live in a more litigious world than ever before, and the laws are changing rapidly in the face of pressure to get Brexit done and over with. The coming few years could well be turbulent given a predicted change in government at the next election, and the weak state of the UK’s economy, so being on top of the game is going to be important. 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:47 Page 2On our roads East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK BMW i4 eDrive35 BMW UK has announced that the order books have opened for the BMW i4 eDrive35, making it the latest model to join the fully electric BMW family. Available in both Sport and M Sport trim, the four-door Gran Coupé offers a fully electric range of up to 299 miles (WLTP), and features the same BMW Curved Display with BMW iDrive and Operating System 8 found in all BMW i4 models, as well as the BMW iX and iX1. The BMW i4 eDrive35 Sport includes an impressive level of equipment as standard, including LED Headlights, 18” alloy wheels, as well as eye-capturing elements in blue design. The BMW i4 eDrive35 is priced from £49,995 (OTR) and is available to order now in the UK, with expected delivery starting in summer 2023. MINI Electric Convertible The MINI Electric Convertible is offered with a fixed specification and two exterior paint choices for customers: Enigmatic Black or White Silver. Door handles, side scuttles and the surrounds of the front and rear lights are finished in Resolute Bronze, and the MINI logo and We take a look at the latest vehicles coming to our roads – whether it be for business, family, or leisure. 44 Á 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:49 Page 1BMW i4 eDrive35 www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:49 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK model lettering feature in Piano Black. For the interior, MINI Yours sports seats in Leather Lounge design offer seat heating and adjustable thigh support, while the multifunctional sports steering wheel - finished in Nappa leather – is also heated and features the MINI Electric logo. Interior surfaces are finished in Piano Black, while ambient lighting and signature MINI Electric yellow colour accents, such as the start- stop toggle switch, complete the interior design. With just 150 models destined for the UK, the vehicle will be available from April 2023 and priced at £52,500 OTR. The Jogger HYBRID 140 Based on the company’s modular CMF-B platform, the Jogger features a unique rear module that extends the car’s length to just over 4.5m, making it the longest model in the Dacia range. Key to the Jogger’s spaciousness, this extra length allows it to deliver the same level of versatility as many larger models. The Jogger HYBRID 140 is available exclusively with 7-seats and in two trim levels – Expression and Extreme SE. Both are generously equipped with automatic air conditioning, cruise control, and rear parking camera as standard, and are littered with clever touches such as Dacia’s ingenious modular roof rails. Reflecting its state-of-the-art powertrain, all Jogger HYBRID 140 models are exclusively equipped with a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Mercedes-Benz GLE The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé and SUV facelift is available now, with new look exterior design and upgraded interior tech. The new-look GLE includes as standard AIRMATIC Air suspension MINI Electric Convertible 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:49 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK with Active Damping on all models, meaning luxury and comfort for customers of the facelifted SUV. Also upgraded is the interior technology found in the GLE. The latest generation MBUX brings with it ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant and over-the-air updates for in-car software. Also, as standard is the Burmester® surround sound system. Powertrains across the GLE range are now electrified, either with mild hybrid 48-volt technology or as a plug-in hybrid. The GLE SUV starting at £77,890 for AMG Line. GLE Coupé available in AMG Line Premium Plus model line only for £92,675. The Jogger HYBRID 140 Mercedes-Benz GLE 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:49 Page 4 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY events As businesses work harder to keep their staff, events could be a useful employee retention tool. 46-48.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:50 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link CORPORATE HOSPITALITY K eeping good employees within a business is essential to success and growth, but with concerns increasing over retention, the ‘Great Resignation’, how to draw in candidates, and the staff and skills shortage, companies are turning to creative ways to combat this and present themselves as an attractive place to work. Some may be looking at pay bumps, others implementing new perks and benefits, providing further training and advancement opportunities, or increased flexibility and four day work weeks. However another method is utilising events. Though events are already commonplace for client retention and driving business growth, they are also a key tool for holding onto staff. Company events act as an important indicator of an organisation’s culture, can influence the desire to stay put at a business, and will likely become more vital in coming years as hybrid work patterns take root and more workers go remote, requiring leaders to be proactive in planning events and experiences in order to build cohesion within teams, avoid isolation, and establish that all-important culture to retain talent. Events bring myriad advantages in the process of keeping star employees within a firm. A significant reason that people quit their roles is because they feel disconnected to the people they work with or the job itself. Organising an event, preferably offsite, presents opportunities to learn about an employee’s interests and skills, helping to gain an understanding of their motivations and the ability to leverage their talents, as well as gain a chance to mentor staff in more meaningful ways, all bolstering engagement. Events also provide a chance for team members to connect meaningfully with those they don’t regularly interact with, growing stronger bonds, improving communication, and can offer time to 48 Á © stock.adobe.com/Prostock-studio 46-48.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:50 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY build a rapport with higher management who they may have limited exchanges with during the working day, breaking down barriers and building trust. Offering staff the opportunity to connect on a personal level away from work further promotes an inclusive atmosphere and a sense of unity that can be brought back to the office, delivering a cohesion that enables the creation of a more productive workforce. Such events may involve specific team building days, but also occasions with a looser format, like company parties and socials, or experiences such as cocktail making, tastings and bowling. Raised morale is another benefit of company events that helps to retain staff. Events can be used to establish a moment to reward the hard work of employees, and boost their motivation for future projects, with the memory that their efforts will be recognised. Awards ceremonies are a favoured option for this, shining a light on notable achievements, though smaller celebrations for successes like finishing major projects ahead of time or perhaps a work anniversary can also be effective, embracing the opportunity to mark milestones together as a team. Events to reward targets being hit, ranging from lunches at nice restaurants to a box at a sports match, are beneficial too. One might additionally consider using events to strengthen a firm’s wellness programmes, with people who spend time on their own health and wellness more likely to be happier in their job. To bolster wellness, events could vary from those to help staff de-stress, to offering staff fitness classes and healthy recipe exchanges, or money management seminars. Furthermore, events promoting CSR (corporate social responsibility), giving back to the community, and supporting charities are a good way to build culture and positive outcomes within and outside of a business. Consulting employees to nominate a cause close to their hearts for charity- and CSR-focused events, and bringing team members together to participate in initiatives, is a great staff retention idea and inspires employee engagement — from tree planting days to fundraisers and time set aside for workers to share their skills with other organisations. These events can engender a sense of fulfilment while bonding teams. Helping to validate staff performance and show appreciation, enhance morale, encourage stronger connections, deepen loyalty and engagement, and illustrate a company’s values, events are a key instrument in your employee retention toolkit. Ranging from the small and special to the large and extravagant, depending on your budget and company culture, there are countless different types of events out there that are sure to be appreciated by your workforce. © stock.adobe.com/Tyler Olson 46-48.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:51 Page 3FEATURES Factory Automation Spotlight Logistics Office Solutions Family Business Healthcare REGULARS Commercial Property Motoring Corporate Hospitality Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sector Next month in April 2023 - Deadline 22nd March Visit us at www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox 49.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:51 Page 1Next >