12 LAW SOUTH EAST
Will your business make the grade for the Olympics?
As the Olympics draw closer, Moore Blatch solicitors is urging employers to put in place an Olympic leave policy to prevent employee absences, which can cause businesses unnecessary disruption and cost and which aims to maintain productivity
Moore Blatch employment expert Katherine Maxwell (pictured) says that employers that do not consider the Olympics in advance are at risk of being left understaffed during the games.
”Initial research suggests that more than a quarter of 16-34 year olds will consider taking unauthorised time off so that they do not miss out on the games,” she said.
But as well as curbing unauthorised absences many employers will need to manage employee requests for holiday, as more than normal numbers will want time off during the games. With around 8.8 million tickets sold for the games, employers will need to engage with employees early and discuss how this leave should be managed.
Local solicitors accredited
Established local law firm Glanvilles is proud to announce its award of the Law Society’s new international practice management standard, Lexcel.
The accreditation was gained after the firm underwent a vigorous independent assessment. It is a formal recognition that Glanvilles provides the highest standards of management and customer care.
Glanvilles is one of the first practices in Hampshire to gain the Lexcel accreditation. As well as acting as a seal of approval on Glanvilles professional standards, Lexcel also helps provide a management framework to further increase operational efficiencies. These efficiencies will benefit Glanvilles’ clients through even better standards of customer service and, in keeping with improved working practices and productivity, better value for money.
The Lexcel accreditation is Glanvilles’ second quality award in the past month. The firm has also become one of the first in the country to gain membership of the Law Society’s prestigious Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).
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Maxwell who has already provided advice to businesses on how best to approach employees says: ”If managed right, the Olympics could actually be a great opportunity for management to boost morale.
”Employers need to remember that the Olympics are a one-off event and act fairly in responding to requests for time off and on this occasion may want to adopt a more flexible approach to leave – with employees understanding the specific special circumstances.
”But even more importantly, with under a year until the Olympics begin, employers really cannot
Coffin Mew assists Alitex with acquisition
Coffin Mew has assisted Hampshire-based Alitex with the acquisition of Country Greenhouses.
Alitex Greenhouses, based near Petersfield, was established in 1952 and during five decades, has been constructing some of the most elegant bespoke greenhouses and glasshouses throughout the world. Having used the Victorian greenhouses of the 19th century as inspiration, Alitex spearheaded the greenhouse renaissance of the 1990s through a combination of horticultural knowledge, engineering excellence and customer empathy.
Alitex managing director Tom Hall said: ”This is a good strategic move for Alitex – we are able to really bring our design, manufacture and installation expertise to the fore with the traditional Country Greenhouses customer base.”
Amanda Brockwell, from the firm’s corporate team, added: ”It was a great pleasure to work with a company with such a reputation for excellence. It’s great to see a manufacturing business in the south expanding and using its renowned quality as a springboard for growth.”
New benchmark for divorce settlements
Groundbreaking new guidelines have been established following a recent court settlement which saw the personal injury payout to an amputee divided between himself and his ex- wife.
Family expert Jane Thomas from Moore Blatch said the recent ruling means that in any future divorce case where there is an element of personal injury compensation this may be taken into account.
”The recent case involved Kevin Mansfield who lost a leg and was awarded £500,000 before meeting his now ex-wife. They married and have young twins with Cathryn Mansfield awarded £285,000 of this to house herself and the two children,’’ said Thomas.
”The judge’s decision sends out a clear message that personal injury compensation can be taken into account when a court is deciding how much to award a wife and children when a marriage breaks down.’’
She said that Lord Justice Thorpe in the Court of Appeal made it very clear that when there are competing needs those of the children come first.
”This is clearly an area of law which is extremely complicated but never before have we seen such a fundamental shift in considering compensation in a divorce settlement.’’
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2011
afford to ignore this issue with staff and are encouraged to start talking early about managing leave and working hours,” she concludes.
Details: Katherine Maxwell 023-8071-8094
katherine.maxwell@
mooreblatch.com
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