summer hospitality 53 Soothing summer headaches


As the sun is finally beginning to shine, many people are beginning to make plans for the summer months, writes Amy Edwards, employment solicitor, Brethertons LLP


Likewise, businesses need to start preparing too – the summer often throws up a number of headaches for employers, and the better prepared you are now, the easier your lives will be come August.


Time-Off


As the summer approaches some of your team have secured Wimbledon tickets, some plan on taking a trip of a lifetime somewhere exotic or plan to spend two weeks partying in the Balearics, others have tickets to one of the numerous music festivals, whilst others are attending weddings, and the rest have children and need time off for childcare. What are you going to do?


If you accept all requests you will end up with a skeleton crew. If you refuse requests you are likely to end up with either disgruntled employees; a sudden flu epidemic; or worse still threats of sex discrimination. In any event, it is going to have an effect on productivity.


You need to take action now to think carefully about how to respond to holiday requests in as fair and consistent a way as possible, ensuring in particular that any decisions do not fall foul of discrimination legislation or employees’ annual holiday entitlement under the Working Time Regulations 1998 or their contracts of employment.


You might consider adopting a traditional ‘first-come, first-served’ approach, or requiring all holiday requests between set dates to be lodged on or before a certain date to enable you to assess all the requests together taking into consideration the needs of your business. In addition you could consider limiting the number of days that any one employee is permitted to take offering an opportunity for all.


Whatever approach you adopt, ensure it is clearly communicated to all staff to avoid allegations of unfairness of arbitrary application.


London Oxford Airport reports business aviation traffic is on the up


London Oxford Airport has reported a steady increase in business aviation activity over the past twelve months. As the fastest-growing privately-owned airport for private business aviation in the UK over the past five years, it aspires to be recognised as a new option for commercial airline services within the Thames Valley.


For the period February 2014 to February 2015, the airport reported a growth of 7.5% year on year in commercial business aviation flights. In particular it notes a peak growth for the period September 2014 to February 2015, with monthly movements peaking at an average of 20% over the six- month period with September showing an overall growth of 28%.


The increase in activity has


been generated by more flights originating from the USA, Canada and CIS countries, with aircraft arriving regularly from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.


London Oxford Airport has seen growth over the past year in the type of aircrafts, with Cessna Citation up to Bombardier Global Express among others taking advantage of the airport’s opening hours, customs and immigration service, and competitive pricing.


The overall increase has been driven by visitor aircraft choosing its convenient location with easy access to west London.


Andi Pargeter, managing director, commented: “We are especially pleased to be seeing more activity from heavy business jets and ultra-long


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2015


So what happens when you refuse a holiday request, and then the employee is off sick? I am sure you wouldn’t be surprised to know that sickness absence actually increases during the summer.


It is important


to make absolutely clear to your staff what your expectations are, and to remind them of your absence procedures, including whom and when to call in the event of sickness, and that any suspicious absences will be dealt with rigorously.


Wimbledon tickets


So back to those exclusive Wimbledon tickets that your top salesman has got – where did he get them? Or the employee that is staying in the luxury villa that belongs to your biggest supplier?


What should your staff do when a client offers them a form of hospitality? Contrary to what most people believe, corporate hospitality has not been banned by the Bribery Act 2010. Businesses can continue to build relationships with clients, customers and suppliers, but expecting an improper advantage in return is wrong and prohibited.


range jets. In addition to the visiting aircraft, London Oxford Airport is currently home to over 35 business aircraft of which seven are in the mid-to- heavy jet category.”


The airport also reports dramatic growth in air cargo movements with a 90% rise in dedicated cargo aircraft arrivals year on year. The increased activity builds on the 100% growth in 2013. The rise is partially driven by the needs of local industry to receive cargo for just-in-time production line activity.


“We expect this growth to continue as the economy returns to a more stable condition,” added Pargeter.


London Oxford Airport remains confident of resuming a small number of scheduled air services as early as the end of this year.


remarks in the recent Budget pertinent to the launch of a development fund for new regional routes.


Details: www.londonoxfordairport.com


Companies are vicariously liable for the actions of their staff unless they have adequate procedures in place and criminal liability for directors is a real possibility.


So businesses need to put safeguards in place now to ensure that staff do not fall foul of the legislation – this includes implementing a bribery policy if you do not already have one – or reviewing and reminding your employees of the policy that was introduced in 2010, but not been mentioned since.


Details: Amy Edwards amyedwards@brethertons.co.uk 01295-661488 @employlawamy www.brethertons.co.uk


Elephant at Pangbourne changes hands


The Elephant at Pangbourne in Berkshire has been sold, with Bluebelt Hospitality acquiring the leasehold from Hillbrooke Hotels.


The three-AA-star, 22-bedroom hotel was originally launched in the late 19th century as The Elephant, and was renamed The Copper Inn during the intervening years.


Today, having reverted to its original name, it has become known for its shabby chic décor which recreates the opulence of India in the days of the Raj.


It was encouraged by


It offers a 70-seat restaurant, bar, three banqueting spaces, and a garden which can cater for up to 150 covers.


Bluebelt Hospitality has bought the 18-year lease off a guide price of £230,000, and as a result has increased its portfolio of properties to four.


www.businessmag.co.uk


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