Jubilee is no holiday

Nearly two thirds of small businesses are refusing to give staff an extra day’s holiday to honour the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this summer. Some 62 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) plan to either open as usual or force staff to take the extra day off out of their holiday entitlement, according to a poll by business support specialist.

Around three quarters say they are against the government using additional bank holidays as a way of celebrating national events such as the Jubilee and last year’s Royal Wedding. The government has moved the Whit bank holiday back a week to June 4 and declared a special bank holiday on June 5 to create a four-day weekend marking the Jubilee.

Most people don’t begrudge the celebration of 60 years as Monarch but these are companies that are already hard-pressed to make ends meet and simply cannot afford another day’s lost business.

While most businesses still aim to close or operate on reduced staff for the day of the bank holiday itself, many employers are not bound to give staff the day as paid leave.

APA

Leeds 1 : London 1

As APA heads to Leeds for the Annual Conference and Hospitality Show 2012 to be held on 26th April at the Leeds United, Elland Road Stadium and formerly Leeds-based PA is heading to London to take up her new post as PA to the General Manager of the Hilton Hotel in Trafalgar Square.

Emily Woodcock MAPA DipPA,  (Pictured left receiving her Diploma) who was PA to the 'Apprentice' star-performer, entrepreneur Claire Young, has moved jobs to build her skills in a more corporate environment. Emily and Claire remain great friends and Claire supports her move South.

APA says: “Emily is a uniquely talented young PA who is keen to build her skills base and explore opportunities and gain new experiences. There is no better place than London and she has already settled in to achieve great things.”

Gareth Osborne said: “APA’s attendance at this weeks show in Leeds simply goes to underwrite our commitment to all PAs across the UK. We have Roadshows in Chester and Liverpool in May and other locations to announce next month.”

APA

The 'Illustrious Eleven'

Alliteration rules and the notorious nine has increased to become the illustrious eleven with the addition of two more PA Diploma holders achieving the ultimate accolade of a ‘Pass with Distinction’ as a result of their outstanding final test marks.

The new additions to the PA Elite list are Vicky Fryer (left) and Shelley Hulka (right) and both found the course equally challenging but rewarding and relevant.

Shelley Hulka from the manufacturing sector said: “I found the course excellent. It has been carefully structured to equip PA’s with a wealth of tools and knowledge, all highly relevant for dealing with the many situations that PA’s encounter on a daily basis. Particularly excellent are the tools for problem solving and for learning what actually makes the people around you tick and why they behave in different ways when presented with the same problem. A truly outstanding course for all PA’s, whatever your background”.

“I have to say I really enjoyed the course, it improves levels of confidence and would certainly recommend it in a second.”

Gareth Osborne, DG of APA said: “The list may be growing but at eleven distinctions still only represents 2% of diploma passes and makes the grade a very special award. So far we have only drawn new APA directors from the distinction holders and hope to make another appointment in the coming months. These are rare and extremely talented PAs.

APA

APA conquers northern Europe

As in the UK, APA’s Scandinavian training is building momentum for the spring and autumn busy periods with courses now running in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark on a regular basis.

APA programme manager, Anders Magnusson, said: “We have just delivered a highly successful programme for new aspiring PAs in Oslo (the ‘PA Apprentice’ course) and the response was wonderful. It is the second we have hosted in the Norwegian capital and a number of delegates from the first course have already found PA positions.”

“APA training is especially relevant and required very little modification to be perfectly matched with the need of Scandinavian PAs. Their role here is very similar to that of UK PAs and we hope to host a group of PAs from London later in the year. We are also making provision for our first course in St. Petersburg, Russia; possibly at the prestigious Corinthia Hotel, and in Amsterdam, Holland.”

Gareth Osborne, Director General of APA said: “We are thrilled by the work Anders is doing in northern Europe and PAs are giving us excellent feedback on the content and quality of our courses; as they do in the UK. We have just finalised discussions with a colleague in southern Europe to replicate our strategies there. It looks like an exciting year ahead for APA.”

Pictured (L-R) are: Gianna Stene, Nia Engebretsen, Dana Thorkson and Kaley Meas.

 APA

PA training in Birmingham

APA is now at its busiest time for training and new PAs join courses each week at a UK or European location.

DG, Gareth Osborne, said: “We try hard to service as much of the UK as we can by delivering courses; especially the Diploma, in all regions but it’s hard to accommodate everyone and we do try, wherever possible, to support the major UK and European centres. For more remote areas or less frequent centres we will always tweak costs to allow for low rate travel expenses to more central locations; like London, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow.”

If you are considering PA training then contact APA at training@paprofessional.com or call 0800 107 1030 for details of dates, locations and prices. For groups of five delegates or more we will even provide training in-house at your company or organisation.

More PAs started APA’s Diploma programme in Birmingham this week by undertaking the ‘PA Professional’ programme. Pictured (L-R) are: Sam McElhill, Charlotte Leach, Emma Denslow, Amanda Reid and Sam Brooks.

APA

PA education and luxury combined

This morning Gareth Osborne was pleased to open the 2012 ExecSec Summit (a PAlife event) at the outstanding Heythrop Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Oxfordshire. A select audience of PAs, invited by organisers, met suppliers in a professional, relaxed environment and networked with their peers in the hotel's luxurious surroundings.

Gareth spoke about the results of the recent APA PA Salary and Attitudes Survey and his theory about why PAs are still paid too little for the work they do. Gareth faced a number of questions and attendees made a beeline for him after the presentation to share personal experiences, thoughts and ideas. Non-members of APA expressed an interest in joining the organisation and everyone reported enjoying the event (so far), the hotel and Gareth’s presentation; which was described as ‘passionate’, ‘thought-provoking’ and ‘timely’.

Gareth said: “I always enjoy meeting PAs but it is especially gratifying when you can influence people’s thoughts and inspire them to take something different back to their business to discuss improvements or better-practice with their Boss. This was the third year I has been privileged to give the opening address at this high quality event and, as always, it was excellently organised and totally relevant to the audience, suppliers and speakers – well done PAlife.”

“For those who were offered the opportunity to attend (which includes all APA Members), you missed a real treat.”

APA

Business bondage

The independent body set up to scrutinise new government regulations needs ‘sharper teeth’ to defend small businesses against 'red tape', APA has warned.

This comes following a report published by the FSB (Federation of Small Business) argues that the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) needs more powers to scrutinise performance, advocate regulatory reform and act as an ombudsman. The report also calls on the government to look at models from the USA, Australia and the Netherlands to see what structural changes could be put in place to improve the UK's regulatory system.

APA Director General, Gareth Osborne said: ‘It's good that government has finally recognised that companies should spend more time doing business and less time complying with bad regulation. We need to see more change, applied more quickly and more understanding of SME issues. For this the RPC needs real powers if it is to drive change and challenge Whitehall culture. We will keep lobbying hard to ensure they get this point.’

Despite numerous RPC initiatives, only one in three impact assessments for new regulations show they are fully fit for purpose. Further, the UK ranks 83 out of 142 for the compliance burden it places on businesses.

APA

If you or your business has any issues about Government legislation please contact us.

Flying in to qualify

As the number of APA training centres expand around Europe so does the number of international delegates flying into the UK to attend APA training courses in London.

As the venue of choice, many British PAs; working for international businesses abroad or local PAs working for British bosses abroad, choose London as a location for training timed to coincide with a spring or summer break in the UK.

Recent months have seen bookings increase for professional qualification courses held by APA in London from South Africa, UAE, Russia, the Far East and Canada to add to the existing list of international delegates.

APA itself is increasingly recognised as the global professional body for PA membership, career development and training.

APA

Spring qualification programmes

The latest attendees for the London running of the ‘PA Professional’ programme had a good day at the 5* Melia White House Hotel experiencing APA’s unique blend of learning in a high-quality, professional environment with good food, excellent networking and inspirational content.

They learnt current management tools and techniques specifically tailored for PAs to maximise the support they offer their Boss. All APA programmes have been developed jointly by PAs and the Directors that employ them to ensure a relevant blend of demand versus delivery.

The ‘PA Professional’ programme (PAP), which forms part of the training towards the much prized Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) qualification, remains APA’s most popular course and is now regularly running at centres across the UK, in Scandinavia, Germany and beyond.

Gareth Osborne, DG of APA and a trainer on the PAP programme said, “Yesterday’s group were particularly engaging and we made time available for them to share experiences and learn from each other. During the day they were joined by Sam Herridge MAPA DipPA of Elexon (and the Mayfair ‘PA of the Year’) and Ana Wu FAPA from the Hotel who shared their thoughts.”

Pictured are (L-R): Alexandra Pretti, Monica Collinson and Nasreen Burke.

APA

Half a million home working fund launched

A £500,000 fund has been secured to help businesses looking to take on new home-based employees in the North East. The Home Working Fund, managed by Entrust, http://www.entrust.co.uk/ , will contribute up to £3,000 towards the costs of training and equipment for each new home-worker.

During the initial phase of the project, Entrust, has helped 12 companies to successfully access the fund and create over 220 jobs.

Bob Travers, managing director of Vir2all, a home-based virtual call centre, comments: “With modern technology, our call handlers can operate anywhere irrespective of geography. The Home Working Fund provides the assistance we required to keep up with the unprecedented demand we are experiencing.”

Chief executive of Entrust, Dan Brophy encouraged businesses large and small to think about the benefits from increased productivity from home workers, and reduced overheads

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “Anyone working or redundant in the NE could use this facility to establish themselves as a home worker for the plethora of businesses in the South East looking for a northern presence.”

APA

Bend zee Neez

From April 6, employers will no longer have to report injuries which keep workers off normal duties for seven or fewer days.

The change to the rules on reporting workplace injuries will save British companies time completing official paperwork, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the independent watchdog for work-related health.

The change to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 is expected to see a fall of around 30 per cent in the number of incidents that must be reported by law – an average of around 30,000 fewer reports a year.

Employers will also be given a longer period in which to report, increasing from ten to15 days from the time of the incident. Employers must still keep a record of all over three day injuries, for example through an accident book.

Gareth Osborne said: “This is another step forward in the governments pledge to cut paperwork and red-tape.”

APA

Egg Tax

Millions of small businesses face chaos as HMRC has chosen to enact a computer upgrade over the Easter weekend – the busiest time of the financial year. The shut down, which lasts until Wednesday (11 April), threatens to throw into chaos plans for the self-employed, business owners and accountants.

Many would have been hoping to file end-of-year tax and payroll returns at the last minute but find themselves locked out and unable to access tax files online. The decision could have also hit millions of small businesses desperate to pay VAT bills by the April 7 deadline.

With fines for late payment of VAT being levied by HMRC’s automated system, many could face fines and repeat offenders could see fines as high as £5,000. The IT shutdown is the latest in a series of bad decisions by HMRC. When it activated a new computer system in 2009 it led to millions of incorrect tax codes being sent out.

Gareth Osborne said: “Many firms will be exasperated by HMRC’s decision to do a major upgrade to its computer systems at such an important time – but then Government always seems to do road repairs when the roads are at their busiest.”

“Our advice, if this shutdown has caused filling problems, is that companies should email and write to HMRC stressing their attempt to comply and immediately complete the action when normal services are resumed. We can only hope HMRC predicted the ensuing assault by angry users.”

“It should be stressed that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) often shuts down its computer systems over the long Easter weekend; unnoticed by most people, but this year, it has happened to fall at the end of the tax year.”.

A spokesman for HMRC has called its upgrade ‘routine’ and said it was necessary in order to upgrade all the new tax codes and systems. Gareth said: "I must remember to quote that back at them if we are ever late filling."

APA

Big Sister or Nanny State?

The government will be able to monitor the calls, emails, texts and website visits of everyone in the UK under new legislation set to be announced soon.

Internet firms will be required to give intelligence agency GCHQ access to communications on demand, in real time. The Home Office says the move is key to tackling crime and terrorism, but civil liberties groups have criticised it.

The new proposed law - likely to be announced in Queen's Speech in May - would not allow GCHQ to access the content of emails, calls or messages without a warrant but it would enable intelligence officers to identify who an individual or group is in contact with, how often and for how long. They would also be able to see which websites someone had visited.

In a statement, the Home Office said action was needed to "maintain the continued availability of communications data as technology changes".

APA accepts the need to detect crime and prevent terrorism but will ask government to ensure it builds in as many safety measures into the act as can be achieved. Gareth Osborne said: “The growth in the principles of ‘Freedom of Information’ has already created a society in which peoples private details can be assessed or purchased commercially and it isn’t always healthy to make the details of the innocent many so freely available to the unscrupulous few.”

Member’s views are welcomed.

APA

Taxing times get tighter

Air passenger duty (APD) has risen by 8% from today, as announced by the government in the Autumn Statement last year. For short-haul flights, the tax has increased from £12 to £13. For long-haul flights of more than 4,000 miles, it has gone up from £85 to £92.

In light of the increase, airlines called on the Treasury to review the impact on "hard working families".

A Treasury Minister said the majority of passengers will only pay an extra £1 as a result of the rise. APA advises PAs to be aware of the increases as they book travel in the coming weeks.

Also as of 1 April, corporation tax in the UK falls by 1% to 24%.

APA

A millionaire in the making

An innovative new product, destined to make its inventor; currently a PA, a millionaire, will be unwrapped today at an APA press conference in London around lunchtime.

Supported by the APA technology advisor Hon. Roger Beast, the young inventor has developed a product specifically to retain and circulate body heat in very cold or arctic conditions; creating a warm micro climate around the individual’s body that is impermeable to falling temperature. It works on the same principle as if you were wearing multiple layers of cloths but comes in a unique thin metalized form that can be tailored into all forms of garment.

The product, to be called ‘Polar Foil’ will be marketed through a new company owned and operated by PA (and APA member) Anna Gramme MAPA.

APA wishes Anna and her invention great success.

APA