Your monthly at-a-glance answers to frequently asked questions. This month we look at smoking in the workplace, bullying and employee retention.
Q: What will the forthcoming smoking ban mean for my business?
A: Regulations have yet to be finalised, but from mid-2007 businesses in England will have to ensure that all indoor areas are smoke-free. Certain workplaces will be exempt, such as those that are also someone’s home (including residential care homes, for example, or offshore oil platforms).
However, if a workplace is affected by the regulations, then it covers the entire premises, so setting aside a designated smoking area will no longer be an option. Many small-business premises are already smoke-free inside, but when the new regulations come into force the issue of setting rules for employees “popping outside” for a cigarette break is likely to increase in profile.
Q: How can I stamp out bullying in my workplace?
A: Your first step should be to ensure all employees are aware that bullying won’t be tolerated and will be considered a significant disciplinary matter. You need to take all reports of bullying seriously, and deal with them under your discipline and grievance procedures. But you also need to be proactive in looking for signs of bullying. A recent survey highlighted that bullying takes many shapes and forms. Almost half of respondents highlighted blocked promotions and threats to job security as instances of bullying.
Q: What are the keys to encouraging employee loyalty?
A: A small business’s employees are almost always its key resource, so you should work hard to hang on to good people. It’s not easy. Recent research shows that while eight out of ten workers expect to be in the same job in 12 months’ time, half will have signed up with a recruitment agency over the past year to keep an eye out for better jobs. To avoid losing your best workers, pay attention to factors employees reported as being of highest value to them, such as regular pay rises, a friendly working environment and challenging work.
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It may seem like more of a hassle than its worth but the forthcoming smoking ban will be really beneficial for both companies and their employees. Employers will benefit from; a smoke-free environment generating more business (this has been proven in Scotland) and healthier employees. Other benefits include lower insurance premiums and a better corporate image.
There are loads of useful sites to help you get through the ban, try:
Action on Smoking & Health
http://www.ash.org.uk
Department of Health
http://www.dh.gov.uk/consultations/liveconsultations
HSE
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/smoking.htm
No Smoking Law
http://www.nosmokinglaw.co.uk