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

Recruitment and employment contracts

Establishing a successful recruitment process and clear written employment contracts for new employees can have a major impact on your business.

Pay and pensions

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

Employment policies

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

Sickness and sick pay

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

Maternity, paternity and adoption

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

Discrimination

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

Managing home workers, remote workers, lone workers

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

Information and consultation

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

Discipline and grievance

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

Dismissals and redundancies

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

Employment tribunals

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

Shoe repairer legal issues

Discover what legislation applies to shoe repairing businesses.

What licences does a shoe repairer need?

There are no licensing requirements relating specifically to the activities carried on in a typical shoe repair outlet.

You should, however, be aware that if background music is provided in the shop you will usually need a Music Licence from PPL PRS Ltd. There is an annual fee for this which you can pay online on the PPL PRS website.

Code of practice

If you become a member of the Society of Master Shoe Repairers (SOMSR) then you will have to comply with their code of practice. This covers various aspects of the trade and was produced in consultation with the Office of Fair Trading (since replaced by the Competition and Markets Authority).

Consumer protection

There's a great deal of legislation that protects the rights of the consumer that covers areas like the sale and supply of goods and services, pricing, consumer contracts and so on. There's detailed guidance available on the Trading Standards Business Companion website.

Carrier bag charge

A minimum 10p charge applies for single-use carrier bags in England (other rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). You can get detailed guidance from the GOV.UK website.

Health & Safety, fire

You must comply with workplace health and safety and fire safety legislation.

Employment legislation

Anyone employing staff must comply with employment legislation. Important areas of legislation include recruitment, employment contracts, pay, working hours, holidays, employment policies, sickness, maternity, paternity, discrimination, discipline, grievances, dismissals, redundancies and employment tribunals.

Insurance for a shoe repairer

Contact an insurer or insurance broker and explain exactly how your business will operate - they will then explain what insurance cover you must have by law, and other cover you should consider. This might include:

premises, premises contents and stock
goods in transit (for example on the way back from a supplier)
cash
business interruption
employers liability
public liability
motor insurance (for delivery vehicles)

The Society of Master Shoe Repairers (SOMSR) offers members bespoke insurance packages. Visit the SOMSR website for more information.

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