December 2023 Newsletter

December 2023 Newsletter?

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Welcome to our December newsletter!

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From this Newsletter you will find information on:

·???????? HSE farm inspections focusing on working at height?

·???????? Working in the winter

·???????? Christmas Parties

·???????? New Guidance on Fit Notes?

·???????? Taxes, minimum wage and other important information for the new year?

·???????? and some team news!

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HSE farm inspections focusing on working at height

Throughout Winter 2023 and Spring 2024 the HSE will be inspecting farms across the country, focusing on the main causes of death and serious injury in farming, mainly falls from height.

During Autumn and Winter many farms will find themselves carrying out building maintenance. Before carrying out any work at height, think:

·???????? Can this be done on the ground for example by using extendable equipment?

·???????? Can you hire a professional contractor with the skills, equipment and experience to do this instead?

·???????? Have you properly planned the work and is it done by someone with the right training and tools? - remember that using a forklift truck to lift someone up is illegal!

·???????? Is the equipment stable, strong enough for the job, well maintained and regularly checked?

·???????? Are fragile materials marked with warning signs to alert others in the vicinity?

Unsafe work at height can have devastating consequences on the worker’s health and on the company. ?Read our blog for more information on The Working at Height Regulations . Alternatively, consider doing the online Working at Height Training Course to make sure you are trained to work at height.

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Working in the winter

As temperatures are going lower and lower, it is important to keep your workers warm when working in the cold.

If working indoors:

·???????? Keep the minimum temperature at least 16°C or 13°C if the work involves a lot of physical activity;

·???????? Ensure there is adequate heating to help maintain a comfortable temperature;

·???????? Ensure processes that minimise exposure to cold areas and cold products;

·???????? Provide protective clothing for cold environments;

·???????? Reduce draughts.

If working outdoors:

·???????? Ensure that appropriate PPE is issued;

·???????? Provide facilities for warming up;

·???????? Introduce regular rest breaks;

·???????? Consider delaying the work until warmer times;

·???????? Recognise the signs of cold stress, such as coughs or body aches.

As it gets darker and paths become more slippery the risk of slips, trips and falls also goes up. Some issues to keep an eye on:

·???????? Lighting – ensure that the main walking routes are properly lit at all times of the day;

·???????? Wet and decaying leaves – fallen leaves hide other hazards on the path and create a slip risk, ensure leaves are removed at regular intervals;

·???????? Rainwater – ensure materials used for pavement are slip resistant and introduce absorbent mats to reduce tracking water in;

·???????? Ice, frost and snow – warn people of slippery paths and use grit on areas prone to be slippery. Sometimes it may be prudent to grit and salt walkways the night before.

Remember that it is always better to prevent than to deal with the aftermath. For more information read our blog post on Contingency Plans for Winter and the Health and Safety Plan for Winter 2022- 2023.

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Christmas Parties

As the holiday season approaches, many workplaces will be planning festive gatherings for their staff. While these can be great for teambuilding, it is important to remember some tips to ensure a drama free holiday season.

·???????? Alcohol – alcohol can be a focal point of the Christmas party, but it is important to remember that not all staff member's drink. This can be for many different reasons, such as pregnancy, religion or personal preference. Ensure that no one is being pressured into drinking and keep an eye on anyone under 18 to ensure that they are not drinking.

·???????? Inclusivity – when choosing the venue, ensure that it is accessible to all employees, consider not only physical disabilities, but also dietary restrictions. Make sure that everyone is invited, including those on maternity, paternity or sick leave.

·???????? Inappropriate behaviour – alcohol can lower inhibitions and may lead to inappropriate behaviour. Ensure that the staff are aware of what is and isn’t acceptable and that all allegations of sexual harassment will be taken seriously.

·???????? Social media – while some employees may be keen to post on social media to share photos or videos of the fun times, somethings may be better left unshared. Remind the employees of your social media policy and keep an eye on what gets shared.

·???????? Sober guardian – while everyone wants to have fun and let loose, you may find it useful to assign a manager to be a sober guardian, someone who will keep an eye on everyone at the party and ensures that all the above recommendations are being followed.

While not every problem can be prevented, by following these tips you can manage the risks effectively. Read more about How to Behave at the Office Christmas Party and Christmas Party Allowances on our blog!

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New Guidance on Fit Notes

In October 2023 the government updated its guidance on fit notes. Most notably it includes the change of fit notes now being accepted from doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists.?

Read more on Sick Pay in the UK from our blog!

Taxes, minimum wage and other important information for the new year

Taxation:

·???????? Employee National Insurance: Starting January 6th, 2024, a reduction from 12% to 10% will save a higher rate taxpayer under PAYE ￡753.60

·???????? Self-Employed Benefits: Class 2 National Insurance contributions will be abolished in April 2024, while Class 4 NICs will decrease from 9% to 8% in 2024/25.

·???????? No changes to the income tax allowances or bands.

·???????? After much speculation, no changes on inheritance tax - maybe one for a manifesto pledge!

Businesses:

·???????? Tax Benefits: Businesses can now fully deduct machinery and equipment costs from their tax bills permanently.

·???????? Late Payment Regulation: Stricter regulations aim to improve prompt payments to SMEs.

·???????? Business Rates Discount: Retail, hospitality, and leisure firms enjoy a 75% business rates discount extended for another year.

Pension and Savings:

·???????? State Pension Confidence: The "triple lock" remains intact, ensuring annual increases based on inflation, wage growth, or a minimum of 2.5%. The increase in April 2024 will be 8.5%, increasing the state pension by ￡900 per year.

·???????? Lifetime Allowance: The pension Lifetime Allowance will be abolished from April 6th, 2024 - as announced in the previous budget.

·???????? Pension "Pot for Life": Plans to allow pension savers to choose their employer's pension contribution scheme aim to simplify retirement planning.

ISA's:

·???????? Enhanced Flexibility: Starting in 2024/25, ISA holders can deposit into multiple ISAs of the same type and partially transfer funds between providers.

·???????? Innovative Finance ISA: Expanded investment options include long-term asset funds and open-ended property funds.

Living Costs:

·???????? Energy Bill Relief: Up to ￡10,000 off electricity bills over a decade for those near new energy infrastructure.

·???????? Duty Increases: Tobacco product duties will rise by 2%, and hand-rolling tobacco will increase by 12%. Alcohol duty is frozen until August 2024.

General Economic Outlook:

·???????? Inflation: At 4.6%, inflation remains higher than the Bank of England's 2% target.

·???????? Economic Growth: A 0.6% growth in 2023, better than expected, but growth projections for 2024 and 2025 have been revised down.

·???????? National Living Wage: Set to rise by 9.8% to ￡11.44 per hour, benefiting millions.

Read our blog for a breakdown on the National Minimum Wage changes for the new year.

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Team News

It has been an exciting year for Wurkplace! Not only have we been busy working away at our new HR system, but we have also seen our team expand and welcome some new faces.

We are very excited to welcome the new year with you and will be looking forward to the new adventures that the year will bring!

We wish you all happy holidays and an exciting new year!