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Practical employment law information to support your business, from Clover HR

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Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

Every business needs to be aware of its obligations under minimum wage and equal pay laws, as well as recent pensions auto-enrolment changes.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

You must comply with legal restrictions on employees' working hours and time off, or risk claims, enforcement action and even prosecution.

The right employment policies are an essential part of effective staff management. Make sure any policy is clear and well communicated to employees.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

While sick employees need to be treated fairly, you need to ensure that 'sickness' is not being used as cover for unauthorised absence.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Most pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, while new fathers are entitled to paternity leave and paternity pay.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

As well as undermining morale, illegal discrimination can lead to workplace grievances. Employee discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

Home, remote and lone workers are becoming increasingly commonplace. Key issues include communication and how to manage and motivate people remotely.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

The right approach to consulting with and providing information to your employees can improve employee motivation and performance.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Disciplinary and grievance issues can be a major burden to employers. Putting in place and following the right procedures is essential.

Following the right dismissal and redundancy procedures helps protect your business and minimise the risk of a legal dispute at tribunal.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Employment tribunal claims are a worrying prospect for any employer. A tribunal case is a no-win situation – even if the claim is unjustified.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

Why Brits feel happier buying from small firms

4 September 2015

Why Brits feel happier buying from small firmsMany consumers experience the feelgood factor when they are shopping but new research suggests that Brits are much happier when buying from small businesses compared to big names.

The survey by Avery WePrint has found that over 80% of Brits report feelings of happiness or contentment when they purchase items from a small business. However, just 53% feel the same when they shop with a large company.

A quarter of Brits said that choosing to buy from a small business actually made them feel good about themselves. Over three-quarters said they would put their trust in a small, local chain or an independent when making a big purchase.

The personalised service offered by small businesses was cited as a number one benefit, with over 60% of Brits agreeing with this. By contrast, 58% of the 2,000 consumers polled said they have experienced poor customer service at the hands of a large organisation.

A third of people felt that small business owners were trustworthy but just 5% of Brits felt that the ceo of a big business could be trusted. When asked how they'd describe a small business owner, the number one response was "hard working", cited by almost 75% of people.

The top ten products and services that Brits prefer to buy from small firms are: haircuts; restaurant meals; fresh produce; takeaway tea and coffee; greetings cards, gifts and presents; car repairs and services; books, newspapers and magazines; snacks and food to go; jewellery; and artwork.

Fiona Mills, marketing director for Avery WePrint, said: "The research shows just how much the British public likes the service they receive from small businesses. So if you're proudly independent or a passionate small business that really cares, it's worth communicating this in everything you do."

The top three big business customer service fails were found to be unpleasant staff, being ignored or forgotten about and receiving an impersonal service.

Mills said: "Businesses of all sizes can learn from one another, what's important as a business grows is not to lose sight of the values and service levels that were there in the beginning. Small businesses are often better positioned to offer the personalised and flexible service consumers are calling out for."

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