Member Blog

Gaming has seen its stock grow in the last decade and a half. Advancements in the performance of consoles as well as the rise of its marketability as a pop-culture cornerstone and as a profession have led the hobby and industry to a new tier. PC gaming is understood to be the pinnacle. It’s also the potentially most expensive way to do it. Despite this, and despite the plethora of options on the market which enable gamers to access video games at various price points, PC gaming sales went up 13% in the last year.

The Perks of PC Gaming

As mentioned, PC gaming is widely touted as the best way to play major and indie titles. The performance capabilities far exceed that of console or mobile gaming. Not only that, but they can be upgraded.

As technology develops games demand more and more of what’s running them such as memory, storage space, graphics capability and zero latency. Of course, there’ll be games which don’t have high spec requirements – either those smaller indie titles which are downloaded on console and PC or browser games for mobile like those at (for example) slotsia.com/uk/mobile-casinos/no-deposit and their PC equivalents – and there’ll be those which ask the world of it. Cyberpunk 2077 is an example of the latter, which, upon its release, was essentially unplayable on the PS4 and Xbox One – what were then the leading consoles.

Whereas console and mobile players have to wait for totally new products and upgrades to be released so that certain games run at a high quality, PC gamers can transform their rig with a single component, making them go from unviable to viable. Admittedly, these single pieces can cost as much as consoles, but if this one thing still creates a disparity between what the PC can do and the console can do, then the investment, if it’s possible, is potentially worth it.

Not only this, but, at their core, obviously, they are computers. These powerful machines can also accommodate other functions beyond gaming: working, video editing, cryptocurrency mining. So investment in them can cover multiple needs should gamers need them for employment purposes.

The State of the Market

In the last ten years, PC gaming’s sales have been steady, consistent. This is the first year where it’s seen major growth. This came during a year when the much discussed next-generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft were announced to be hitting the shelves. The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox X/S Series were tipped to close the performance gap between console and PC. Upon their releases, reviews and customers were backing this up: never before had consoles felt like a reasonable alternative to the PC gaming experience.

Mobile gaming, while immensely popular, and offering some similarities, in terms of game styles – like battle royales thanks to the PUBG mobile versions, for instance, and other simulation-strategy games – doesn’t quite exist in the same decision space as console vs. PC, so it’s impact on PC – in its current iteration – is minor.

Why are gaming PCs receiving such high interest? One reason may be the rise of streamers and influences. Most of them play on PCs and their fans may be swayed with their preferences and expertise – as well as their giveaways and discount codes. This is the exposure normalise PCs, overriding the assumption and narrative that they are niche and expensive.

The Future

PC gaming will face some technological advancements which could affect its growth – namely cloud gaming. While Google Stadia looks like it’s on a bit of a wobble at the moment, a medium which basically alleviates the need for top of the range hardware to process and run games, could see the necessity for premium rigs reduce. Mobiles could move to the forefront.

Also, as mentioned, another year of hype and another year of purchasable stock for next generation consoles could see them become more attractive to PC gamers should they wish to keep gaming slightly simpler.

Gaming PC’s sales figures are a reaction to certain contemporary trends. It makes sense that they’re doing well. As it’s not a surprise, then, is the assumption that it’ll be a sustainable growth – that what is happening may not entirely bottom-out and plummet?

Illya Shpetrik was born to a middle-class family in the 1980s with nothing truly remarkable in his life. However, he has now amassed an impressive portfolio of fashion work and a lot of charitable work to go alongside it. Illya Shpetrik is not a fashion designer and inventor who craves the spotlight. As he puts it: “it is easier to foist yourself into the limelight with unimaginative fashion concepts. The brand that is Illya Shpetrik is all about the innovation and inspiration that makes fashion, what it is today; the limelight is not even secondary to that…it’s tertiary.”

Shpetrik has always had a strong interest in the world of fashion and the wider culture that surrounds each and every piece of clothing we all wear. He did however, at a young age have somewhat of an epiphany when his mother, a supermarket worker came home with her shopping.

Even at the young age of six years old, Illya realised that there was a lot of plastic and a lot of polluting materials at the heart of everyone’s shopping trip. His mother, coming home with a few plastic carrier bags, in which there were various items further packaged in plastic was all it took for his journey to fashion to begin.

A keen environmentalist who regularly donates to several environmental causes, Illya Shpetrik always strives to ensure all the clothing and all fashion he has a hand in is made from renewable and wherever possible, biodegradable materials. He understands the impact of fast fashion on the world, ecosystems and the wider environment and from the very start of his carer he has sought to be very different.

To find the inspiration that makes his work what it is today, Illya Shpetrik has travelled far and wide to inspire and educate himself. With his father currently living in Belize and his mother in North America, Shpetrik has naturally found himself travelling between north and south of the continent.

Having excelled in school in the sciences, particularly biology and chemistry, subjects Illya still holds dear, he is always conscious about what the make-up of any of the materials and products he uses could do if abandoned to the elements. This, Shpetrik believes is one of the key things that sets him far apart from all other fashion designers.

“Other fashion labels and designers create their brands and clothing and only when it is pointed out to them that their brands are being found across the world in landfills or even in the oceans do they take action. You will never, ever find an Illya Shpetrik label in any landfill and in any ocean. We do things the other, what I believe to be correct way round…what is the environmental impact of this design and these materials and thus, should we produce it?”

We all love to travel, but many of us are becoming increasingly mindful of our carbon footprint and are looking to stay somewhere that has strong values when it comes to sustainability. However, who says that luxury and sustainability need to be mutually exclusive? You can enjoy an eco-friendly break without sacrificing the finer things in life. Wherever you go in the world, here is our round up of some of the best go-to green destinations you need to add to your travel bucket list.

Botswana

Considered to be one of the one of the ‘greenest’ safari camps on the planet, the Zarafa Camp in Botswana is one of the country’s most luxurious places to stay. Guests can take advantage of the camps exclusive game viewing experiences and will stay in a luxury tent with an open layout bathroom which comes complete with a roll top bath, a private plunge pool and outdoor shower.

All the camp’s electricity comes from its dedicated solar farm, while ‘bio gas’ plants recycle waste into usable cooking gas on which to cook the most delicious meals.

Wildlife lovers will rejoice in the ample wildlife watching opportunities as 40% of Africa’s entire elephant population are in Botswana. Solar-powered boats and electrical vehicles are used for game viewing, with the aim to offer visitors a carbon and emission-free game viewing experience.

Italy

If you are in search of a secluded retreat which offers a holistic approach to not only your holiday but your well-being too, then you should look no further than the award-winning Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda.

Situated in a 27-acre nature reserve, surrounded by olive groves and overlooking Lake Garda, this stunning eco-spa is dedicated not only to provide a holistic approach to guest health and well-being, but also to protecting the environment.

The resort is also completely carbon neutral too and prides itself on its commitment to sustainability

Retreat and relax in the innovatively-designed spa which is home to a saltwater pool and an infinity pool overlooking the lake.

Cambodia

Song Saa Private Island is Cambodia’s first luxury private island resort and has some seriously strong eco-friendly credentials.  They have recycling and waste initiatives in place and are involved in a variety of sustainability projects in nearby villages. They even have their very own Song Saa Foundation where guests can get involved with various community initiatives.

All the villas have an ocean view, a private pool and come with an effortlessly cool design which includes four-poster beds, Moroccan lanterns and carved statues giving it a real eco-chic feel.

Dine outside and enjoy the 360-degree views of the ocean which makes for a spectacular view point for both sunrise and sunset.

Switzerland

Situated in the pristine Swiss Alps, the Whitepod Eco Resort provides you with an eco-friendly yet glamorous experience. Guests can stay in a James Bond style pod which comes with your very own Bond style bed, champagne bar and private sauna.

White Pod’s philosophy is very much about saving the environment whilst getting away from it all. The pods are minimal impact which means that they utilise minimal water and electricity and only use renewable resources wherever they can. 

Kenya

Campi ya Kanzi (Camp of the Hidden Treasure) is an award-winning, boutique eco-lodge in Kenya that sets a new standard for luxury safaris that are also ecologically low-impact. It demonstrates that you can have the comfort and service of a top hotel without compromising on your green credentials.

Not only can you enjoy a luxury break, but you will be helping to support a meaningful conservation project. Campi ya Kanzi was built using only local materials that had fallen from trees naturally and their water is sourced from the rain using their special catchment system.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is leading the way as one of the world’s most successful eco-tourism destinations and is renowned for its abundance of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, volcanoes, fascinating wildlife and incredible natural beauty. Impressively, 98.1% of the country’s electricity came from renewable sources in 2016 alone.

The Lapa Rios Lodge is surrounded by over 1000 acres of protected rainforest and sits adjacent to the Corcovado National Park which is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Guests will stay in a thatched roof bungalow and can take advantage of the salt-based pool, yoga classes and Ayurvedic massages. They have several community-based initiatives which includes installing water pumps and solar panels to supply clean water and electricity to local communities.

Vietnam

The Topas Ecolodge is the only one of its kind in Vietnam and sits in an idyllic location in the spectacular Sapa valley. The lodge is based on sustainable principles to ensure it has a minimum impact on the surrounding environment. It provides employment opportunities to people from nearby villages and uses local products and goods to bring economic benefits to the community. Why not travel to Sapa by bus from Hanoi? The journey takes around eight hours and you can even take an overnight sleeper bus. Whilst you are in the region, why not take part in a trek thorugh the mountains? 

Why not speak to your Personal Travel Expert to organise a fabulous eco-friendly break today?

Head out to the world’s most iconic cities and lap up in the spectacular show they put on. Don’t limit yourself to a short-haul destination, when there are so many long-haul city breaks that tick all the boxes and more.  Switch it up with a city break further afield, followed by a beach stay after! The world really is your oyster.

New York, USA

The city that never sleeps is the ultimate city break; a dazzling hub of culture, history and entertainment.  From incredible shows on Broadway to catching a baseball game in the Bronx, you’ll never be short of activities. A must-visit is a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, get your camera ready for this one as the views are something else. To get your shopping fix, head to Fifth Avenue and indulge yourself with big names such as Saks, Tiffany & Co., Armani and more. Head to the home of the world-famous singing waitstaff and some of the best food in the country, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, and you won’t be able to stop yourself tapping your feet along with the show taking place around you.

Boston, USA

Think colonial history and cutting-edge innovation and you’ll have Boston down to a T. The restaurant scene is a dynamic experience, with a choice of acclaimed restaurants to local hidden gems you’re sure to find somewhere to please any taste bud. Each of the city’s neighbourhoods has a story, each with their own tone and style from Back Bay’s cosmopolitan streets to North End’s 17-century streets.  Today it’s known as one of the country’s most forward-thinking and barrier-breaking cities. Arts have thrived ever since the 19th century where Boston’s cultural stage has expanded the art, music and theatre scenes. Our top tip for Boston: eat as much seafood as possible and indulge in the local specialities! 

Toronto, Canada

Toronto is Canada’s east coast wonder city. It’s Canada’s answer to Manhattan, the young and vibrant city is infectious. It’s a top choice for a city break holiday and after just one holiday you will want to pack your bags and move here. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, the easternmost of the Great Lakes, the surrounding Greater Toronto Area is the country’s cultural, financial and entertainment hub. This is what makes holidays to Toronto so attractive to people wanting to explore Canadian Culture. Canada’s largest city is buzzing and fast-paced, alive with fun and excitement making for a very enjoyable trip.  Toronto offers one of the best shopping areas in the world, so whether you are planning a shopping trip with friends or just want to squeeze in some retail therapy, the Eaton Centre should definitely be number one on your list.  

Dubai, UAE

It’s no secret that Dubai is a playground for young to old. With so many incredible attractions, amazing shopping and limitless dining opportunities, you really are in for a holiday of a lifetime. From beachside fun, indoor thrills to skiing in a mall, Dubai really does have it all. The Burj Khalifa is a true icon Dubai, standing at 828 metres high, the world’s tallest tower dominates the Dubai skyline, but you need to get up close and personal and venture inside to truly appreciate it. Head to the 124th floor for the observation deck for outstanding views of Dubai, topped only by the views for the Top Sky Lounge on floor 148. Located at the base of the Burj Khalifa, you’ll find an awe-inspiring water dance which gives the Bellagio a run for its money. This popular dancing water show jets water streams as high as 150 metres in the air.  

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has long been in the running when it comes to an impressive city break, it’s a feast for all senses. You’ll find skyscrapers dominating the skylines, mega-sized shopping malls, epic street markets and lively nightspots. To truly connect with the locals, indulge in their two favourite things: shopping and eating. The glitzy malls are like nothing you’ve seen before full of designer fashion as well as bargains. As you stroll the city on foot, you’ll find yourself discovering some of the best dining spots: hawker stalls and traditional neighbourhood kopitiam (coffee shops)! 

Are you ready to book your next city break? Get in touch with your Personal Travel Consultant today!

When your pet is part of the family, they shouldn’t miss out on the holiday fun and we believe our four-legged friends deserve a break too.

Cornwall

As one of the most popular UK destinations for a getaway, this is sure to tick all the doggy-boxes. An incredible 51 beaches welcome dogs all year round, and a further 81 have seasonal restrictions. Several attractions found in Cornwall also welcome our dogs, so you can explore the area with the whole family in tow. Take a steam train ride along the Bodmin and Wenford Railway or explore the Eden project where dogs are allowed in outdoor areas on a lead. You can even head to Truro and introduce your dogs to stand up paddleboarding!

Devon

Thousands flock to the South Coast for its incredible coastal walks, great summer weather and miles of beaches. Some its finest attractions welcome dogs including The Donkey Sanctuary, the Miniature Pony Centre and the Devon Railway Centre which means your days out can include your dogs too. You can find designated sections of many beaches that allow owners to relax on the sand while their dogs run off their lead. Many of the country-side pubs allow dogs in on their lead, with many beachside cafes providing water and treats for our beloved pets. 

Peak District

The Peak District is an ideal holiday destination with your dog, with glorious views from up high, picturesque villages and attractions galore that welcome both human and dog.  Head to the Peak Rails heritage line running between Rowsley and Matlock and be welcome on board the train. For a relaxing drink, head to The Cobbles where you and your canine campions can enjoy views from a large beer garden and young and old can enjoy the play area. In fact, you can find over 100 dog-friendly pubs in the Peak District area! 

Snowdonia

The best way to enjoy North Wales’ scenery is by climbing to its highest peak, Mount Snowdon’s summit, which stands at 1085m. The National Park here allows dogs on a lead, and as long as fitness permits, they can accompany you on the journey to the summit.  From high to low, head to Sygun Copper Mine which offers a fascinating day of adventure exploring underground, just bear in mind that the metal steps to climb could prove more difficult for larger dogs. 

The Lake District

A trip to the Lake District won’t be complete without experiencing some of their incredible day outs from Lakeland mountain walks to the Claife viewing station and the west shore of Windermere. After a long day of exploring, quench your thirst at the many dog-friendly pubs, we recommend The Snooty Fox Country Inn which dates back to 1624! For a cosy welcoming, head to Jasper’s Coffee House, rumour has it they’re the friendliest dog café in Kenswick. 

Wherever you and your pup want to holiday to next, let our Personal Travel Consultants arrange your dog-friendly stay in the UK.

With a new normal on the horizon as we consider a post-lockdown world of travelling, we wanted to highlight the top reasons why a villa holiday is perfect suit for your next holiday!

Private pools

We offer a wide range of villas across the world, with many providing access to a private pool. This means you can float around on inflatable flamingos until your heart’s content and not have to worry about anyone else! You’ll know that only those you are staying with will be using the pool and have peace of mind of the cleanliness standard.

Enjoy your own private pool with your villa. Your own private space

With your own kitchen in a self-catering villa, you won’t have to adhere guidelines set in place by hotels for social distancing as it will be your very own dining spaces! Take solace in knowing that your food is sourced and cooked by you, and no queues at dinner time.

Multi-generational families

After months of not seeing extended family, booking a large villa allows you all to travel together! From Grandma and Grandad to great-great-grandchildren, we can find a villa of any size to cater for the whole family. What better way to make up for lost time, than a home away from home holiday in a beautiful villa?

Freedom

Spend the days on your own time, with no set times for meals and entertainment, spend your days basking in the sun in your garden or pool, before getting out to explore the location the next.  Most villas will offer up a lounge, kitchen, bedrooms, garden and pool meaning that the whole family can spread out and enjoy their own space.

Ideal locations

Whether you’re wanting to switch off and forget about time in a quaint fishing village or be close proximity to a bustling town, the options are endless. Car hire is recommended to allow you to get out to explore if you choose a villa in a more secluded location, or maybe you just want to spend your holiday relaxing at home in your accommodation. Either way, we can find a destination and local that meets everyone’s requirements.

Whether you’re looking for a trip with the whole family or a weekend getaway with your friends, villa holidays can provide an incredible setting for your trip. Holiday in your own time, as you enjoy time with your loved ones in a home away from home.

Get in touch with your Personal Travel Consultant today to make your villa dreams a reality¬

On 5 March 2021 the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government clarified the Government’s amendments to planning and licensing law to support the reopening of outdoor hospitality.

The Secretary of State’s 5 March letter confirms the following Government support for the reopening of outdoor hospitality (some of which was already in place following recent amendments):

• The pavement licence procedure brought in by the Business and Planning Act 2020 to allow premises licence holders to place removable furniture over certain highways adjacent to their premises is to be extended to 30 September 2022. The current provisions allowing pavement licences were due to expire on 30 September 2021.
• Last year the Government extended the number of days on which permitted development rights authorised temporary events to be carried on from 28 to 56 days. Following a recent extension, the operation of this right has been extended to 31 December 2021. This right may also be used by pubs to authorise the erection of marquees for up to 56 days in the calendar year (to the extent planning permission was required for this anyway). This right does not apply to listed buildings or land within the curtilage of a listed building, for caravan sites, for the display of advertisements and certain other exclusions apply to land which is within a site of special scientific interest.
• A permitted development right originally introduced on 25 June 2020 to allow a local authority (or an entity on behalf of a local authority) to use land to hold a market has been extended to 23 March 2022 (provided the land is not within a site of special scientific interest). In the context of this permitted development right, “local authority” includes a parish council.
• Permitted development rights allowing restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments to serve takeaway food have also been extended to March 2022, subject to certain conditions and limitations.

At the time of writing we are waiting for the secondary legislation to give effect to the extension of the pavement licence regime. It is not yet clear whether this legislation will also provide for the temporary modification of the Licensing Act 2003 to allow for temporary off-sales of alcohol which was introduced by the Business and Planning Act 2020 at the same time as pavement licences.

In addition, those looking to take advantage of the various permitted development rights highlighted by the Secretary of State are advised to familiarise themselves with the conditions and limitations which apply to them. Care should also be taken on a case by case basis to examine existing planning permissions (and their conditions) and any planning obligations affecting premises, as well as any applicable Article 4 Directions or title or tenancy restrictions which may affect the operation of these rights.

If you wish to discuss the implications of the COVID-19 virus and the Government’s response to it for your hospitality business please contact one of our specialist Leisure & Tourism sector team.

The information on this site about legal matters is provided as a general guide only. Although we try to ensure that all of the information on this site is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed. The information on this site should not be relied upon or construed as constituting legal advice and Howes Percival LLP disclaims liability in relation to its use. You should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.

Last month, 550 MPs were locked out of an important COVID-19-related video call due to their web meeting provider reaching maximum capacity of 100. Numerous MPs voiced their frustrations on social media, criticising the choice to use an unreliable conferencing app. 

Mio Conferencing Solutions could have easily remedied the issue – we believe that one size does NOT fit all. We are not just another off-the-shelf application, but one that fits your business needs and takes into consideration what you want to achieve.  

Our tailored web conferencing solutions offer an impressive participant capacity for online meetings, conferences, lectures and more. Simple, easy, and secure – Mio offers an unparalleled service that could have avoided the major disruption that the MPs witnessed. With our powerful technologies you can rest assured that no person will be locked out of a meeting! 

With our multifaceted experience, we have created a service to suit all of your online conferencing requirements. With us, large-scale conferences are easier than ever – with our lecture function, you can put participants on a listen only mode with a hand raising function for Q&A and enjoy a smooth and professional meeting with a capacity of up to 3,000 participants.

You can also add a personalised touch with your own company-branded interface and invites, to ensure your online conferences are aligned with your business objectives. Get in touch with us and we will improve your online conferencing experience ASAP so you can get the important stuff done!

Call us to find out how we can make your remote conferencing better on +44 (0) 203 1427 020 or email info@miocommunications.co.uk

Source: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

­The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that connectivity is more important than ever. And with many businesses continuing to offer flexible working into the future, now is the time to invest in your IT infrastructure; both to support your clients and your staff. This may start with your telephone system. When businesses were asked to move to remote working in March 2020, those with a traditional telephone system quickly fell behind. Meanwhile, those with a hosted system were able to transition from office to home seamlessly. What is a VoIP Telecoms System? VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. Essentially, your voice communications are delivered over the internet using the cloud. A VoIP system can be accessed from anywhere, as long as you are connected to the internet. Thus, simplifying your whole communications solution. What are the benefits of a VoIP System?

• Flexible As we’ve mentioned, a VoIP system is flexible. If you are connected to the internet, you can answer calls via a laptop, mobile, tablet and more – wherever you are!
• Scalable If your business grows, you just add new employees to the system when needed.
• Easy to update and repair As a VoIP system sits in the cloud, all updates are automatic. This gives you peace of mind that your system is secure and up-to-date. If you encounter an issue, this can be resolved remotely. This, therefore, saves you time calling out an engineer.
• Live status updates Many VoIP systems offer the option to set an employee status. This means if a client calls for a colleague, you can see in the app whether they’re in another call. It can also sync to your calendar to automatically set an employee status to ‘in a meeting’, for example.
• Reduces hardware A VoIP system can support flexible and hot-desk environments. As well as a full-time office. When you switch to a VoIP system, you can eliminate the need for physical hardware. Say goodbye to desk phones! Removing the physical hardware will keep desks looking tidy, and reduce your costs – win, win.

As you can see from the benefits listed above, a VoIP telephone system can support your business on its next journey. Whether this is remote working, hot-desking, scaling up fast or reducing costs. There’s a range of benefits beyond these too. It’s also worth knowing that just because you’re moving phone systems, you don’t have to change your telephone number or the triage set up when a client calls. All of this can be replicated or adjusted to suit your preferences. You can read more about the telecoms services we offer here, or, if you want to discuss the full range of benefits, and see if a VoIP system is the right move for you, get in touch today: Visit our website T: 01603 709300 E: enquiries@breakwaterit.co.uk

Although we do now have some light at the end of the tunnel following the Government’s announcement on 22 February of the staged roadmap for easing coronavirus lockdown, many employees are already living with the day to day fatigue of poor mental health. The uncertainty of how long the pandemic is going to last in itself has been a form of psychological torture befitting of a special forces reality TV show. Added to that uncertainty have been the pressures of homeschooling; watching out or caring for elderly or shielding relatives; furlough and the financial problems it presents; and the simple lack of regular contact and routine with friends and colleagues.

Countless LinkedIn posts and articles have made us all too aware of the effect that all of the aforementioned issues (and no doubt many more) have had on positive mental health. Even though some might think that we are on the home straight it is now that we probably need to be more aware than ever of our employees’ wellbeing.

For some, the release and joy of getting back into the office will be countered by the pressure to return to the routine of the commute; the need to work to a finely tuned timetable of trains, buses or pick up and drop off times so that we can juggle our incredibly busy lives. For that reason employers may wish to start considering giving their staff the tools to return to those busy and hectic lives, whether that is through access to resilience seminars and sessions, Employee Assistance Programmes or discussing phased and flexible returns, when we are instructed to return to our places of work. In many sectors, there has never been such an opportunity as now to be more creative in terms of the way that employees work and also allowing employees going forward to work in the most effective and productive way.

The flexibility and phased nature of a return to the work place though may not only be a luxury but a legal necessity. The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from discrimination in the work place and includes protection for those who have a mental impairment where that impairment has a substantial and long term effect on an employee’s ability to carry out their normal day to day activities. In the event that an employee has the protection of the Equality Act then one of the legal requirements an employer must consider is the need to consider “reasonable adjustments”. Sound familiar? So there may even be a legal requirement to permit employees whose mental health has been affected by the pandemic to work flexibly and respect their coping strategies if these amount to reasonable adjustments to prevent them from being placed at a substantial disadvantage as a result of their disability.

The strongest argument that employees will be able to advocate going forward as to why they should continue to work from home is that they have worked effectively from home and without a reduction in productivity for over a year. If the employee can demonstrate that working from home works, then they are likely to argue ‘why can’t that continue now’?

As employers, if we have not done so already, we should review our policies and procedures and ensure that they are fit for purpose in terms of the way that we propose and agree that staff can work from home going forward, particularly taking into account health and safety issues that may arise from home working.

We will also need to take into consideration going forward track and trace and self-isolation. Those issues will not disappear overnight but we will begin to forget the obligations that we owe to employees in respect of the same. If in 6 months’ or a year’s time we act in a way that is prejudicial to employees who have had to self-isolate then the employee may have legal recourse. Going forward, it will therefore be important to constantly review and relay to all staff their duties and obligations should they show symptoms or manage employees who may have COVID symptoms.

Finally, what should employers do regarding the vaccination of employees and imposing requirements on staff in that regard? That debate is worthy of a article by itself and one that can be found here.

“The trick is to keep pedalling”!

For more information in relation to coronavirus and employment law, please contact a member of the employment team.

The Chancellor announced an extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”) in this week’s Budget to support businesses and employers as the economy reopens.

The CJRS was due to end 30 April 2021 but will now operate for a further five months until 30 September 2021. Furloughed employees will continue to receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.

Employers are currently only required to pay for employer National Insurance contributions and pension costs, this will remain the case until 30 June 2021. From July 2021, employer contributions will increase to include 10% of the cost of furlough hours, rising to 20% in August and September 2021 as the economy reopens.

We expect that further guidance and an additional treasury direction will be published on the CJRS extension in due course. An article covering the current CJRS guidance can be read here.

Alex Payton comments:

“The extension of the CJRS will be welcome news for businesses, who may still be subject to lockdown restrictions or yet to see demand return to pre pandemic levels. Although employers will have to contribute more to the cost of furloughed hours as the economy gradually reopens in line with the route out of lockdown, those additional costs will not kick in until July 2021, at which point it is hoped that increased economic activity will assist employers shoulder the extra costs burden.”

The information on this site about legal matters is provided as a general guide only. Although we try to ensure that all of the information on this site is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed. The information on this site should not be relied upon or construed as constituting legal advice and Howes Percival LLP disclaims liability in relation to its use. You should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.

The Beating Heart of Recovery

The past 12 months have been some of the most turbulent and uncertain in living memory. As a nation 2021 is going to test us further. However, something we can all be certain of, is that recovery in whatever form will be reliant on people. At Select, we are a people focused business and we have seen first-hand the positive impact our temporary and permanent placements have made to industries across the country.

Industry in Norfolk

In a paper written by Norfolk Insight in September last year, the most pressing issues facing the county of Norfolk were highlighted. Amongst those discussed was obviously the hospitality sector, which employs roughly 30,000 jobs and is the worst effected industry in the region. There is hope on the horizon however, with rumours circulating that Lockdown may soon ease and staycations being a popular idea for many British tourists in 2021. Additionally, plans abound to open new hotels and restaurants across Norfolk and indeed in neighbouring Cambridgeshire. 

Another major employer (approximately 63,000 jobs in Norfolk) is wholesale, retail and motor trades, which has been similarly affected by the pandemic. With major retail chains like Debenhams, leaving our high street, what is shopping going to look like in the future? An article by the EDP in October last year revealed that local independent shops are filling these voids left by the national stores. Indeed, 85% of the new shop openings in Norwich last year were independents. An encouraging scenario for shoppers and those employed in retail.  

Recruitment’s Role

At Select, we have always been proud of our role in helping businesses achieve their targets, but more than that we are proud of how every day we get the opportunity to make a real impact on someone’s life. A recent report by the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) has really highlighted to us how we can make a difference to the recovery of our local area. 

The recruitment industry directly employs 119,000 people across the UK and helps place a million more people a year in new roles. This means that every 21 seconds someone finds a new role through a recruitment agency and the recruitment sector is increasing UK productivity by £7.7 billion (yes BILLION) a year by improving the quality of matching. This all just refers to permanent placements, every year around 280,000 individuals use temporary work to help support them and their families. 

With all this in mind, we think that the recruitment industry may well be one of the keys to help accelerate our local recovery. Indeed, the cost of lost productivity can be 5 times more than the average cost associated with using a recruiter to find the right person. 

Already on the Road to Recovery

Things are beginning to look up. We have seen a really positive shift in new roles opening and businesses beginning to recruit again across industries and regions. 

All the positive indications for a more prosperous 2021 following the rollout of the vaccine, are reliant on having good people to implement them. This is why in the latest Report on Jobs from the REC ends with the statement “It’s vital to put people at the heart of the recovery this year – and the recruitment industry has the skills and expertise to make that happen.”

Everyday at Select, our teams have been talking to clients who are unsure about the next steps they should take. We are here if you need to talk to someone in the know about the local recruitment marketplace in Norfolk and benchmark it against a UK-wide backdrop. You can contact us on 01603 615511 Monday to Friday 08:30 – 17:30 or anytime via email on hello@select.co.uk.