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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.

Zoom effect sees workplace etiquette slipping

27 October 2020

A new survey of those working from home because of the pandemic has found that the standard of workplace manners is falling as meetings go online.

Zoom users have soared from ten million to 300 million during the coronavirus pandemic. But a survey of 1,000 people working from home due to COVID-19 has found that workplace etiquette is becoming more lax, especially when it comes to Zoom meetings.

The poll was conducted by Censuswide for tech PR firm Eskenzi PR. Almost half of those surveyed said that colleagues have turned up late to virtual meetings and over half have been interrupted by colleagues on calls.

The survey also found that 47% of people felt that their colleagues were distracted on video calls and nine in ten Brits admit that they often look at themselves instead of focusing on the meeting.

The key findings show that:

  • 91% admit they've been distracted by their own image on screen;
  • 85% have worked on emails during meetings or have seen others doing so;
  • 77% say they have sent texts during a Zoom meeting;
  • 66% report eating during a Zoom meeting;
  • 18% say they have had an alcoholic drink;
  • 17% have smoked or vaped;
  • 12% say they have picked their spots and 11% have picked their teeth on video calls.

However, experts are warning that employees could be damaging their own prospects if they are too casual on a work call. "Our survey has shown that people tend to let their guard down during Zoom meetings at home, which can be detrimental to their careers as they are still being judged on these calls," said Yvonne Eskenzi, director and founder of Eskenzi PR.

"Many have seen colleagues turn up late, speak over others, drink, eat and even smoke on calls. There is a certain etiquette to Zoom calls, which would be sensible to follow if you're hoping for a promotion or want to be looked at favourably by your colleagues and superiors."

Some employees are grappling with "Zoom fatigue" according to the study but 40% of respondents said that they have got to know their colleagues better in this new work environment, helping to improve colleague relationships.

Eskenzi PR has come up with some simple rules for Zoom call etiquette:

  • Take calls in a quiet place, or use a headset to block out background noise;
  • Check your microphone and camera are working properly before starting a call;
  • Ensure you have a work-appropriate background;
  • Make sure you look presentable;
  • Limit distractions by turning off devices and notifications;
  • Don't be late for calls;
  • Look at the camera when talking;
  • Do not eat, drink or text during calls;
  • Don't do other work tasks while on Zoom calls.

Written by Rachel Miller.

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