This section lists general updates that we think are important for VCS organisations to know about.You can also click on the different sections to see specific areas, such as HR and Governance.
Online Trustee Recruitment Service - Trusteefinder
Charity Trustee Networks has launched Trusteefinder, an online service for posting and seeking trusteeship vacancies across the UK. It connects with the national volunteering database Do-It and also has guidance on recruitment and induction.
Charity Trustee Networks has developed a practical resource to help trustees work well together, and to introduce, develop and use codes of conduct appropriate for their organisations. According to CTN chair Rodney Buse "Codes of conduct really can prevent issues becoming personal and should not be seen as another piece of unnecessary bureaucracy.".
Download the 'Codes of Conduct for Trustees' from here
The Charity Commission has published a couple of example trustee annual reports which show how trustees can approach the new duty to report on public benefit. One of the fictional examples is an advice charity above the audit threshold, the other a youth club below that limit.
One of the new example risk assessments added to Health and Safety Executive's case studies is for a charity shop. There are already ones for village halls and offices.
To view the full list and download the examples click here
WorkSmart, the TUC advice site, has put together a group of experts from industry, media and unions to give workers the basics on IT safety through some short advice videos and quizzes.
By law, employers must consult their employees on health and safety issues at work. The Health and Safety Executive has two new leaflets on this subject.
One aimed mainly at employers in workplaces with fewer than 25 employees can be downloaded from here and a brief guide to the law from here
The Commission for the Compact has published a 'Concise Compact Guide' offering "a quick, user-friendly summary of Compact undertakings for both the public and the third sector" on the national agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector.
Download the Guide from here or telephone 0121 237 5905 to order a copy.
How Charities Can Tackle Environmental Responsibility
The Charity Commission has published findings from research into the ways in which charities are taking environmental responsibility. 'Going Green: Charities and Environmental Responsibility' shows how 21 charities interested in environmental sustainability are tackling the challenge, from basic steps to fundamental changes in the way they deliver their services, and contains ideas that may be adapted and adopted.
HM Revenue and Customs has published a CD toolkit on using Gift Aid to increase charity income. It includes basic guidance, templates, an interactive claim form and other materials. Request it by phoning HMRC Charities on 08453 020 203 or email:
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A partial agreement has been reached on this year's settlement on local government NJC pay rates which are widely used or referenced in the voluntary sector.
The National Joint Council, representing local government employers and staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has agreed to a rise of 2.45% which will be backdated to 1st April 2008, with an extra £100 for the lowest paid (scale points 4 to 6). The trade unions see this increase as an interim measure pending an arbitration process, but the employer side sees it as implementing their final offer and separate from arbitration with ACAS.
The factsheet discusses what is meant by equal pay, looks at the legal position, discusses how an employee makes an equal pay claim and how this should be defended by the employer and discusses good practice in this area.
The factsheet discusses what diversity is, looks at the business case for having a diverse workforce, discusses the social justice case for diversity and how to manage diversity and gives some "tips for action" on strategy, workplace behaviour, communication, training and measurement and review.
The factsheet defines "coaching" as "developing a person’s skills and knowledge so that their job performance improves, hopefully leading to the achievement of organisational objectives. It targets high performance and improvement at work, although it may also have an impact on an individual’s private life. It usually lasts for a short period and focuses on specific skills and goals."
The factsheet looks at the characteristics of coaching, developing a coaching culture, coaching supervision, the stakeholders in coaching and when coaching is appropriate.
Recruitment of People Working With Children and Vulnerable Adults
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on Recruitment of people working with children and vulnerable adults.
The factsheet looks at the legal framework, recruitment and selection checks and procedures, criminal record information from CRB, reference checks and forthcoming changes to the law, in particular the The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 which will work by creating two, linked, lists of people barred from working in ‘regulated activities’ with either young people or vulnerable adults.
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on employing overseas workers.
The factsheet discusses the reasons for employing overseas workers, identifies the categories of overseas nationals who may work in the UK, discusses the Work Permit Scheme (when to obtain a work permit, employers' responsibilities etc), sponsorship, Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (Tier 1), the employer's duty to avoid illegal employment and covers other areas including contracts, payments, taxation. It also looks at personnel matters such as recruitment, relocation, induction, multi-cultural organizations.
The CIPD has issued a guide on coaching and buying coaching services.
The factsheet looks at the current position (purpose of coaching, who is receiving and delivering coaching, the rise of internal coaches), defines what coaching is (characteristics of coaching; differences between coaching, mentoring, counselling and consulting), the key players in the coaching relationship, making the case for coaching (Assessing when there is a need for an individual to receive coaching; where coaching may be inappropriate; assesing readiness for coaching; business case for coaching), preparation and setting the scene (Setting expectations; Gaining the buy-in of line managers; Ensuring clarity of approach and goals), choosing the right coach, coach selection and matching and managing the coach.
Sex Discrimination, Sexual Orientation, Gender Reassignment and Employment
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on sex discrimination, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and employment
The factsheet provides an overview of legislation in this area, identifies the types of discrimination, looks at the Genuine Occupation Requirement exemption,discusses pregnancy related issues and good practice.
A Guide to Tackling Domestic Violence in the Workplace
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has issued guidance entitled "Reclaim the Night. A Guide to Tackling Domestic Violence in the Workplace". There is a section aimed specifically at employers.
The guidance looks at what domestic violence is, the signs to look for, causes etc., why domestic violence is a business issue, developing workplace domestic violence policies (what a policy should cover, confidentiality, special arrangements (e.g. to allow an employee time off to visit a solicitor, doctor etc.), training, what to do where a perpetrator is employed in the same workplace, language in the workplace and signposting help for those who are experiencing domestic violence.
The CIPD has issued a factsheet entitled Pay Progression.
The factsheet discusses the how pay progression is the "real" growth in pay, after pay increases for cost of living, the impact of pay structures on individual pay progression, methods of determining pay progression (service related increments, age-related increments, individual performance-related pay (merit pay), team performance pay, organisational performance, competency pay, skills-based pay, market rates, incidence of pay progression arrangements), controlling pay progression and other issues which may arise in the process.
The CIPD has issued a factsheet entitled Pay Structures.
The factsheet looks at the rationale for pay structures, multiple v single pay structures, types of pay structures, the incidence of pay structures and creating and revising pay structures.
The Health and Safety Executive have updated their guidance on employers' liability insurance.
"Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. A guide for employers" discusses what employers' liability insurance is, the position on employers' liability insurance if the employer has employees abroad, how much cover will be required, telling employees about employers' liability insurance, retention of insurance certificates and what happens if an employer does not have employers' liability insurance.
The HSE has issued a checklist of factors which should be considered when doing a "display screen equipment" (DSE) assessment.
The checklist will be useful for anyone responsible for the health and safety of staff using a VDU and looks at problems to look for when making an assessment and ways of reducing each risk.
The company's registered name must be visible to visitors at the company's registered office, any other place where the company carries on business unless the place is used primarily as living accommodation.
This changes the previous requirement that the name had to be on the outside the building, or visible from the outside during normal working hours. The location of the name still has to be visible to members of the public, and be big enough to be read with the naked eye, and so should be displayed in a reception area or similar location.
Company directors must now be at least 16 years old although they can be appointed before they reach age of 16 provided the appointment does not take effect until they are 16.
Any director who is under 16 on 1 October 2008 automatically will have ceased to be a director.
The Charity Commission has issued guidance on the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and on the Icelandic situation entitled “Financial Services Compensation Fund: What it means for charities".
The Charity Finance Directors Group and accountancy specialists Sayer Vincent have produced 'Gift Aid made simple'. To download a copy of the leaflet (69KB) click here
The national minimum wage rates are increased from 1st October to workers aged 22 and over - £5.73 per hour, workers aged 18-21 - £4.77 per hour and workers aged 16-17 - £3.53 per hour.
'Redundancy: a simplified guide' has been produced by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the document claims that it "provides an overview of procedures, rights and entitlements in redundancy proceedings".
To download a copy of the leaflet (195 KB) click here Top of Page
Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey
The CIPD has published the 2008 version of its annual survey on "Recruitment, retention and turnover"
It covers recruiting employees, checking candidate applications, web 2.0 and recruitment, diversity and labour turnover.
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on employee turnover and retention.
The factsheet discusses when employee turnover becomes problematic, explains how to measure employee turnover and retention and how to cost employee turnover, sets out why people leave organisations and provides advice on improving employee retention
ACAS has issued an advisory booklet entitled Job evaluation: considerations and risks.
The booklet discusses what job evaluation is, the issues an organisation needs to consider before it undertakes a job evaluation exercise, building a job evaluation scheme and includes an appendix on job evaluation and the law
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on teamworking.
The factsheet looks at what a team is and the different types of team, discusses the benefits of teamworking, looks at the stages of team development, identifies the characteristics of effective teams, looks at team roles (personality types) and team selection, discusses team size, team leadership, team training and learning and team reward.
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on smoking at work.
The factsheet looks at the legal position and discusses the effect of the new legislation, what the smoking ban means for employers, the effect of the smoking ban in Scotland and Ireland (where smoking has been banned in the workplace for some time), discusses how to develop a policy and the enforcement of the ban and outlines the penalties for failing to enforce a smoking ban.
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on psychological testing.
The factsheet looks at what psychological testing is, training on test use, tests delivered online, establishing a policy on test use, selecting a psychological test, issues to be considered in test use, monitoring, psychological testing and disability and legal matters.
The CIPD has updated its factsheet on working time and leave.
The factsheet discusses hours worked (including overtime)and the UK's long hours culture, holidays (including the legal position) and special leave (including public duties, court service, trade union duties and activities, military training and service as a member of the Territorial Army, maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave and personal and domestic leave).
A workbook about how to create a learning and development plan for a third sector organisation has been produced by sector support umbrella body NAVCA. The Get Skilled Workbook is aimed at those working with local groups.
A long-awaited consultation on the new corporate form for charities created under the Charities Act 2006, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, is now under way.
It is being run jointly by the Office of the Third Sector and the Charity Commission, it covers details of what the new form might look like and the rules a CIO will have to follow.
The consultation closes on 10th December 2008.
The Charity Commission’s guide can be found by clicking here, and the consultation details here
Learning from Charity Commission's Regulatory Work
The Charity Commission has a new annual report bringing together the themes and wider issues arising from its regulatory work. Trends identified include lack of procedures to protect vulnerable beneficiaries, poor basic accounting and reporting causing long-term problems, and overlooking the basics of good governance.
To download a copy of the booklet (407KB) click here
Corporate Names to be Regulated by the Companies Act
From 1 October 2008, corporate names will be regulated by Part 5 of the Companies Act 2006.
A new right is provided for third parties to complain of the choice of a company name before a new body, the Company Names Adjudicator, based at the UK IPO (Intellectual Property Office).
This new right enables an objection to be made to a company’s registered name on the basis that it is either “the same as a name associated with the applicant in which he has goodwill” or “sufficiently similar” that it would be likely to mislead when used in the UK by “suggesting a connection between the company and the applicant”.
The complaint is based upon a “name” associated with the complainant, so can apply to a wide range of rights: company names, trading names, brand names and registered trade marks.
The National Council for Voluntary Child Care Organisations has published, with help from the Governance Hub, 'Governing for Children: A beginner’s guide to governance in the children, young people and families voluntary sector'. There are focused real-life examples of particular relevance to any committee members of smaller organisations involved with children.
Joining Up for Stronger Voice for Health and Social Care Users
National Voices is a new umbrella organisation bringing together national voluntary organisations representing users of health and social care "to give them a stronger voice in policy-making".
It aims to ensure the service user is heard at the beginning of the policy-making process.
A service that provides a single source of information on care, housing and funding for older people has been created by a coalition of Help the Aged, Counsel and Care and the Elderly Accommodation Counsel.
It is provided through the FirstStop web site which can be found here
The Health and Safety Executive has issued a web-based benchmarking tool which employers may use to measure their health and safety performance.
There are two tools, one for employers with more than 250 staff, and one for those with fewer than this. The employer answers a number of questions and they are then presented with a personalised report outlining what aspects of health and safety they are good at, and which could be improved.
It is then possible to anonymously compare the organisation with similar employers.
BT Business has published guidance entitled Get Fit for Mobile Working.
The guide looks at some of the health issues which may arise from using new technologies in the workplace (whether that be in an office or at home).
It looks at some of the potential issues caused by mobile working, good posture, comfortably viewing a screen, breaks and reducing stress, comfortably using hand held devices, comfortably using a laptop computer and choosing equipment.
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