INFORMATION
SMEs planning for the worst
• Barriers to people making complaints and fears that complaining could make things worse
• Ill-treatment from other staff often built up to the point where people dreaded going to work
• Family and home life had been affected and many victims took leave to escape the bullying
• Inexperienced employers lack the skills to go through complex grievance and disciplinary procedures that bullying allegations may involve
• Managers alerted to bullying allegations can favour simply moving staff around rather than investigating and dealing with underlying behaviours.
To see the full research report and Acas' guides for employers and employees on how to deal with bullying, visit
www.acas.org.uk/bullying
Stephanie Hyde, PwC Head of Regions
Supporting devolution and regional growth
PwC has launched a UK-wide initiative to advise and support organisations and authorities on devolution and regional economic growth. Led by Stephanie Hyde, PwC Executive Board Head of Regions, the Devo
Delivery Network has more than 350 local and central Government experts and specialist advisers spread across PwC’s 31 UK regional offices. It draws on PwC’s international and national experience in advising
public and private sector organisations on regional economic strategy, tax, finance-raising and public sector modernisation and reform. Stephanie Hyde said that the acceleration of devolution has fuelled
demand for a single source for specialist advice and guidance. “The very nature of devolution is that there is no one-size-fits-all
blueprint. Regional settlements are determined by a combination of local need, the strength of the case and Westminster’s confidence in the ability of local politicians, citizens and business to deliver. “The recent ONS figures indicate that rebalancing the UK regional
economies remains challenging and we’ve launched the Devo Delivery Network to encourage debate, collaboration and engagement and to support and showcase best practice in the development and delivery of devolution deals.”
Small business owners and decision-makers are adopting a cautious approach to capital expenditure, hiring and business growth, according to Bibby Financial Services’ latest SME Confidence Tracker. Findings of the report show
that fewer than half (46%) of SMEs expect their business to grow, down from 64% in Q1 2014, when the survey began. Meanwhile the proportion of
businesses expecting a decline in their sales is now greater than at any point seen previously in the SME Confidence Tracker. David Postings, Global Chief
Executive of Bibby Financial Services, said: “UK SMEs are sensing dark clouds on the economic horizon, which is translating into dampened expectations for growth in the final months of 2015.” The findings are in line with
those of the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey and those of the British Chambers of Commerce.
business network February 2016 43
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