70 RED TAPE:SPN Master pages 15/1/09 16:22 Page 2
spnfeature
RED TAPE –
WHO NEEDS IT?
Many believe the specialist pool and spa
trade is increasingly being restricted and
limited by unnecessary regulations and
rules – red tape! Tony Line from London
Swimming Pool Company, who has
now been running a business in
the pool industry for
BELOW: Tony Line from London Swimming
Pool Company: ”Lacking the knowledge of
something to do with compliance will not
almost a quarter of a
offer leniency in any way whatsoever”
century, claims to have
found the perfect answer
“Any small company owner will readily tribunals, will not show mercy if something
acknowledge that ever mounting layers of does go wrong. Lacking the knowledge of
red tape can take up far too much limited something to do with compliance will not
and expensive time which detracts from offer leniency in any way whatsoever.”
making sales and profits,” says Tony. Since red tape does affect everyone,
“Business does require regulation but from Health & Safety and Equal
the question is whether directives are too Opportunities policies through to
extensive and harsh for small companies disciplinary, grievance and redundancy including updating employment contracts
and the arguments will go on ad infinitum. procedures, outsourcing to an HR and job descriptions. Following a period
“A fairly significant issue at the moment is specialist can provide the ideal solution, of rapid growth by London Swimming Pool
just why, with strict regulation, is the financial for small and large companies. Company, CFA has recently also started a
system in such turmoil? My view is that the Business owners can concentrate on the review of the company’s organisational
big players can get away with virtually daily operations and strategic goals of structure. “The aim of the review is to
anything because of size, complexity and their core business confident that their HR ensure staff’s skill sets, experience and
maybe the old boys’ network amongst other requirements are in safe hands. One such energy are directed towards the aspects
things. However, small businesses are much specialist is Claxton Frost Associates who and functions of the business where they
easier for the state and their regulators to provide cost-effective and efficient are most effective,” says Judy.
monitor and be draconian with should they outsourced HR services. Whether you “Since outsourcing our HR needs I have
choose to do so. ‘It’s just not fair’ I hear need a package tailor-made to your not had to worry about this important part
many constantly say. And many of our rules, operations’ requirements, ad hoc advice or of the business and I have not looked back
and indeed legislation governing business, just a document service, CFA ensures since,” comments Tony. “I can very highly
now emanate from Brussels which is not adherence to current legislation and can recommend Judy Claxton of Claxton Frost
likely to change in the future. provide on-going support and updates. Associates. It is very helpful to have
“Not all company owners are fair “Our services are carried out off-site, someone available on the other end of a
themselves and this is where rules come leaving valuable office space for revenue- telephone or email for advice on HR
into their own. Let’s face it, there does earning staff, freeing up management time concerns which can crop up at any time. It
have to be regulation with respect to from routine administration and reducing is also useful to be informed of forthcoming
keeping books in order and paying tax, the high costs involved in recruitment and legislation that would be likely to affect
and, even more importantly, since staff or personnel management,” says Judy either the employees or company in any
human resource is the most valuable Claxton, of CFA. Judy has business, way and have the relevant documentation
resource a company has, there must be management and consultancy experience prepared and ready for distribution to staff
legislation in place to ensure that gained through a diverse range of sectors, on time and so be totally compliant with Big
employees receive fair treatment. including recruitment and placements, Brother at all times.” spn
“And not forgetting that rules have to outsourcing and technology, mergers and
exist for the health and safety of all to be acquisitions, tourism and leisure.
FURTHER INFORMATION
maintained in the workplace, whether on For the past two years, CFA has been
CLAXTON FROST ASSOCIATES
telephonesolid 01626 830544
construction sites, in factories or offices. Be working with London Swimming Pool envelopeback judyclaxton@btopenworld.com
duly warned that if all the company Company ensuring their HR LONDON SWIMMING POOL CO LTD
documentation is not fully in order then the documentation adheres to, and meets,
telephonesolid 020 8874 0414
pc www.londonswimmingpools.com
state, via the legal system, which includes required legislation and good practice,
70 swimming pool news FEBRUARY 09 Digital edition available at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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