Accountants call for reduction in employers’ NICs
Accountants want to see the rate of employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) reduced as a key area for tax reform in party manifestos ahead of the election, according to research by Bloomsbury Professional. It found that 49% of accountants were in favour of a reduction and 47% also want to see a reduction in employees’ NICs. Martin Casimir, managing director of Bloomsbury Professional, said: “National Insurance is often seen as a tax on creating new jobs. At this still early stage of the UK’s recovery, easing the burden on businesses could help provide a much-needed boost for growth and the labour market.”
Pay rises but employees want more
Over half (53%) of UK workers had a pay rise last year and 63% are expecting one in 2015, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The typical pay rise has been 2% for two years running but a new report from the CIPD finds that almost half of respondents (48%) are dissatisfied with their employer's pay decisions and 76% haven't been told what they need to achieve to get a pay rise.
Customer Experience Awards
The UK Customer Experience Awards 2015 are open for entries. In their sixth year, the awards “shine the light on those companies who have put the customer firmly at the heart of their business”. The awards are open to businesses of all sizes as well as public sector organisations. The awards are open for entries until Friday 15th June 2015. Finalists will be announced on 30th June and winners will be honoured at the UK Customer Experience Awards awards ceremony in London on 25th September 2015.
Identifying the productivity killers
Traffic jams, lengthy meetings and cold calls are just some of the factors that impact on work productivity, according to a new survey by Regus. The poll of 3,000 professionals found that travel problems were one of the biggest issues, including traffic jams (39%), delays (27%) and roadworks (20%). In addition, lengthy meetings were a problem for 35% and cold calls hampered 27% of those polled. However, working from home did not improve concentration levels for 43% of respondents.