When do I need to notify Ofsted of a ‘significant event’? Under the Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations 2012 (‘the Regulations’), Providers are required to notify Ofsted of certain significant events. A failure to do so, without reasonable excuse, is a criminal offence and if convicted, a Provider or registered person is liable…
Continue reading "When to tell OFSTED of a ‘significant event’?"The likely success (or failure) of the relationship between your business and the new recruit often depends on the early days of their employment. Why are Inductions Important? Do not underestimate the value and importance of inductions. Inductions play a big role in a new employees’ performance and contribution to your company. It allows your…
Continue reading "Have you recently hired someone?"Employers can be legally liable for the acts of their employees – this is known as ‘vicarious liability. For this to happen the employee’s conduct usually has to be part of their course of employment, but what happens if the conduct relates to a work social event? Can and how should you discipline them? Background…
Continue reading "Are you responsible for your employees’ actions outside of work?"Every manager hopes that all employees will perform satisfactorily in their roles 100% all the time, but there will be occasions when performance falls below an acceptable standard. Early action is the best policy, rather than waiting and hoping that things will improve. They rarely do, and delay just makes subsequent interventions more difficult. Val…
Continue reading "Ten tips for dealing with an underperforming employee"Social media is now a part of everyday life, but it can catch out those employers who haven’t updated their policies and procedures to incorporate it. One recent case that the legal advice helpline advised on involved a nursery manager who had broken the rules on the expected standards of behaviour. Tweet The helpline received…
Continue reading "Social Media & Staff"Recruitment of staff can be a time consuming activity; finding the right person with the relevant experience and qualifications who will fit in with the rest of your team can take time. It is also important to get the administration aspects of this completed in a timely matter, as one nursery manager found out to…
Continue reading "Case Confidential – Recruitment"The rising costs of malicious software attacks and staff-related breaches highlights the need for companies to take action, Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said at the recent Infosecurity Europe event. He was speaking at the launch of “The Information Security Breaches Survey 2015”, which has been prepared for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills…
Continue reading "Cost of cyber security breaches doubles"Pay is one of the most sensitive issues that employers need to deal with. When there are disputes over issues such as calculating a bonus, reclaiming an overpayment or something similar, the situation can easily become very tense. Paying the National Minimum Wage It is widely understood that employees must be paid an amount that…
Continue reading "Some tricky issues relating to pay"Staff absence is often a cause for concern in nurseries, particularly when it has an adverse effect on the ratio of staff to children. Poor attendance Abbie had been working for almost a year at the nursery, during that time her attendance record was very poor. The Nursery Manager, had chosen to deal with the…
Continue reading "Taking Action on Staff Absence"