< Previous30Business Link www.blmforum.netCORPORATE HOSPITALITYMost people don’t tend to put toomuch thought into the usual workChristmas party; it’s just something that isdone. It’s expected, almost required, andalthough many would no doubt claimthat they’d rather go home or have thetime free, studies show that companieswho eschew the Christmas party oftenface consequences further down the line.Here are a couple of reasons why:The Christmas bashworth it?It’s an age-oldtradition and onethat is expected, butis it really worthholding a Christmaswork party in thisday and age? It thanks staff for their hardworkIt might at first seem that wages dothis well enough, and aren’t staff to beexpected to work hard so long as thecompany employs and pays them? Butwhatever a manager believes should bethe case doesn’t really matter in the longrun. Studies have shown time and timeagain that employees often do not feel30-32.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:30 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 31CORPORATE HOSPITALITYof people have not sent their staff on anykind of dedicated team-building exercisesor trips. These almost feel like events ofthe past or trips limited to American firmswho like those sorts of things. Onceagain, people from the UK – and ourregional especially, seem to assume thatstaff should come together over work.Forming lasting friendships that will helpthem rise to the best of their ability – forthe betterment of the company. The truth is obviously less clear-cut.Disputes between staff, arguments or justa lack of social interaction can lead tonumerous problems. This is especiallyimportant where teams work together onprojects, as you need staff to be willingto talk to one another at every stage tomake sure everyone is working from thesame hymn sheet. Christmas parties helpto break the ice, but also encourage staffto keep in touch over the Xmas break –be it through Facebook or texts. Thismeans that even in a two-week break,staff are more likely to maintain bondswith one another outside of work –making their teamwork back in the newyear, all the better. It’s important to keep in mind that itlowers this in many cases but cannotprevent it. New year, new you may be allthe rage come January, but the last thinga company wants is to find out thatapplies to their jobs as well. TheChristmas period is a prime time forpeople to look for new work or considernew careers – with a large number ofemployees changing jobs during it. While it might be impossible tocompletely stop this – in many cases it32 Á© Shutterstock/Olga Sapeginaappreciated or respected for the hardwork they put in. A roaring Christmasparty is the company’s way of showingthat this is not the case, and that themanagers have put some real effort intochoosing an event that the staff willgenuinely love. Having yet anotherboring drink with party hats at the officemight be cheap and convenient, but italso shows staff that the company doesn’tconsider them worth putting any realeffort into. And if the managers aren’tmotivated – why should the staff be?It promotes teambuildingIt also promotes romance, as studiesshow that office parties are primelocations to pick up a life partner, butthat’s not the real goal here. Withoutknowing anything about any companieswho might be reading this article, it’sprobably still a safe bet to say that 90%© Shutterstock/fizkes30-32.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:30 Page 232Business Link www.blmforum.netCORPORATE HOSPITALITYcomes about as a result of a long break,time to think and the financial pressuresof Christmas – it is still possible to buildloyalty to the company by giving them aroyal send off before they take theirbreak. This makes sure the final memorythey have of work before Christmas is apleasant one, as opposed to themrecalling a miserable group of people sataround the photocopier with some plasticglass of beer. Imagining the last scene,it’s perhaps easy to see why peoplemight look for a change.Lowering your taxAn accountant might want to bechecked on this first, but there are somethings you can set aside as tax deductiblewhen it comes to the Christmas party.The UK Government website can behelpful for finding exact figures, but theHMRC does understand that a Christmasparty is important to the continuedsuccess of a company. Finding out what is and is not taxdeductible is important. Last year thefigures said that annual functions can betax-free where the total cost per personattending is not more than £150 per year(including VAT), but that might havechanged in the last twelve months. If indoubt, always seek advice from anaccountant.It prevents directors lookinglike misersThis is perhaps a less altruistic reasonto hold a staff party, but no less animportant one. The distance betweenowners and employees will always be acontentious point, but the short of it isthat most employees will always lookunfavourably on their managers if thosepeople are saying how they will be jettingoff to some tropical retreat, while the staffneed to make do with take-out food inthe office. Again, poor memories of work ormanagers before the Christmas breakcan lead to increased staff turnover,lower morale and job satisfaction, all theway through to higher levels ofabsenteeism in the New Year. All of theseresults need to be avoided wherepossible, and while a fantastic party maynot be the panacea that turns a companyaround, failure to have it can be the finalnail in the coffin.All in all, the Christmas party issomething that is here to stay for many inthe business industry. Lincolnshire andYorkshire have a wide array of venuesthat cater to events large and small,whether it’s a huge party with staff, musicand dancing – or a more formal dinnerwith speeches. It all depends on thecompany involved and what they desirefor their employees. Either way, thevenues in our region are always on handto help.But make sure not to delay too long.There are thousands of companies withinYorkshire and Lincolnshire – and many ofthose will already be booking their eventsthis far in advance. © Shutterstock/VGstockstudio30-32.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:30 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 33HEALTH & SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTIONBusinesses without an in-depthpreventative, rather than reactionary,health and safety plan risk not onlyprosecution and fines but a ruinedreputation - one that can steer awaypotential clients and future employees.Despite this being common knowledge,accidents, fatalities and illnesses - mentaland physical - do, of course, still occur.With Brexit just around the corner therehas been some question as to whetherhealth and safety regulations will bechanged at all, but there should not beany room for complacency in light of thispossibility, as in actuality there are realbenefits to holding high health and safetystandards in the workplace whether it bein a manufacturing plant or an office, andsentencing and fines do remain rife andstrict in the present.493 cases were prosecuted and endedin conviction in 2017/18, according to theHealth and Safety Executive’s (HSE)recently released annual figures, and dueto new sentencing guidelines introducedin 2016, the value of fines collected hasskyrocketed by 87% from £38.8m(2015/16) to £72.6m. The manufacturingthe industry faced the most fines,receiving £27m worth, followed by theconstruction industry which faced £18.9mworth of fines - two key industries in ourregion. As fines for breaches can forsome decide whether one stays inbusiness or faces bankruptcy, it is clearcompanies must assess their health andsafety procedures and improve standards.The HSE’s recent figures furtherhighlight an increase in fatal injuries with144 deaths in 2017/18 in comparison toTime toimproveWith high injury and ill and mental health rates in the region’s workplaces, employersmust reassess their health and safety policies.34 Á© Shutterstock/Lucian Milasan33-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:41 Page 134Business Link www.blmforum.netHEALTH & SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION137 in 2016/17, with the highest numberof these (38) occurring in the constructionindustry and most resulting from fallsfrom height, though it should be notedthat this is part of a long-term downwardtrend. There were also 626,062 non-fatalinjuries at work mainly as a result of slips,trips or falls and handling. Yorkshire andthe Humber were recognised as havingnon-fatal injury rates that were statisticallysignificantly higher than the rest of Britainwith 2,350 cases per 100,000 workers incomparison to the 1,920 average, thoughthis comes as little surprise since three ofour region’s major industries -manufacturing, construction andagriculture - are considered the mostdangerous.In addition 1.4 million people sufferedfrom work related ill health in 2017/18,and stress, anxiety and depression tookover musculoskeletal disorders as themost commonly reported form of work-related ill health. Yorkshire and theHumber also proved to have higher illhealth prevalence rates than the rest ofGreat Britain. These cases are proving tobe a bugbear on business productivitywith 30.7 million working days lost as aresult of work-related ill health and injury.The figures act as a reminder that itremains important to manage workplacerisk, to practice good health and safety,and that there are still many areas inwhich to improve to prevent injury andillness at work.Worryingly the HSE statistics do notshow any significant change in industrieswhere workers are most likely to beinjured, with construction pointed outonce again as a high-risk sector. With aclear risk for injury and fatalities theindustry also faces lung disease, with12,000 lung disease deaths associatedwith past exposures at work occurring ayear. The threat of dust and asbestosexposure that affects the lungs has risenin importance for policy makers, with dustbeing a topic that is currently receiving amajor push from the HSE through itsDustbuster Campaign in which they arerunning inspections and offeringguidance which highlights the need forthose in construction to make proper useof on-tool dust extraction to manage dustexposure. Dusty environment can lead toillnesses from occupational asthma tocancers like mesothelioma which resultsfrom deteriorated asbestos. In factconstruction makes up 40% ofoccupational cancer deaths.Not only does construction represent asignificant number of physical health andsafety risks, but it also faces seriousmental health risks. Statistics show theindustry has the most employee suicidesand indicate that work-relateddepression, stress and anxiety haveovertaken the “expected”musculoskeletal disorders as the mostcommon workplace health problem in thesector. Mental health support within theindustry has been recommended and forbusinesses not yet offering substantialmental health support one can startsafeguarding workers with counsellingservices, by using employee stressquestionnaires and providing customsupport to employees at risk. Thisincreased focus on mental health supportas an important part of a business’s healthand safety regime now extends out acrossall industries as a result of increasedawareness efforts. While Philip Hammondannounced, in the Autumn Budget,funding for a new mental health serviceand a 24-hour mental health hotline,there is increasing public pressure foremployers to do their part.Though employers focus traditionally onMakingbusinessessafer withEmerald Safety Emerald Safety and OccupationalHealth Consultants Limited (ESOHC) is aunique company offering both a healthand safety training and consultancyservice to a variety of industries, helpingthem achieve an effective and efficientmanagement of work activities. Thecompany also provides an occupationalhealth service providing assistance andexpert advice for employers to help them manage the health and wellbeing of their most valuable asset – theiremployees. Good health and safety management is essential for achieving good business. With the introduction of thenew sentencing criteria in 2017 and the new levels of custodial sentences introduced as of November 2018, it isimperative that construction companies achieve the full implementation of Best Industry Practice along with theeffective interpretation and application of the Construction, Design and Management Regulations (CDM) 2015 inmanaging their construction projects.For more information, visit www.healthandsafety.uk.com.© Shutterstock/Love Silhouette33-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:41 Page 2www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 35HEALTH & SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTIONphysical health and safety, health andsafety duties are not limited to just that.The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974states that employers must ensure thewelfare of employees as far as practicable.As 595,000 people suffered from stress,depression or anxiety in relation to worklast year (up from 526,00 in 2016/17), and15.4m working days are lost as a result ofthe conditions - accounting for more thanhalf of all workdays lost to ill health - it isclear just how important a mental healthplan is in a company’s overall health andsafety policy. For our region this is evenmore important as Yorkshire and theHumber holds the highest number of self-reported rates of stress, anxiety anddepression in workers.Last month the HSE launched its online‘Talking Toolkit’ to coincide with StressAwareness Day (8th November), whichgives employers advice on how to reducethe epidemic of work-related stress, andby the end of 2018 there is to be arecognised qualification for HRprofessionals and Health and Safetypractitioners in regard to managingstandards for work related stress. Tomaintain the mental health of employees,the culture of the workplace across allindustries needs to change and theconversation needs to be opened toremove the “taboo” label given tomental health issues, especially as stress,depression and anxiety can create moreaccidents and reduce productivity. Toaddress mental health it is recommendedthat you survey your employees tounderstand the help that is required andprovide training to managers. Afterimplementing better mental healthprocedures one will gain the addedbenefit of an increased likelihood ofattracting and retaining more staff.Carry out risk assessments, implementhealth and safety policies, provide healthand safety training for all risks from heightsafety to use of PPE equipment, and offeran open environment regarding mentalhealth - while many employers may viewa solid health and safety regime as aninconvenience, it is a necessity, and canbe a real benefit that will help employeesand boost a business.© Shutterstock/AungingOnline Health and Safety Training CoursesHow would you like to save time and money on your next IOSH or NEBOSH trainingcourse? Health and safety training doesn't have to be expensive or boring. Book your course now and you can start within five minutes.Newlands House, Newlands Science Park, Hull, HU6 7TQ01482 211989 • info@wiseglobaltraining.com • www.wiseglobaltraining.com33-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:41 Page 336Business Link www.blmforum.netARION Q&AArion Trainingand Development You deliver a range of healthand safety courses, delivered in-house at your Sleaford facilityand at client premises, fromasbestos awareness to workingat height. Can you tell us a bitmore about these courses? Arion is a multi-disciplinary, full servicehealth and safety consultancy, helpingcompanies in all sectors – frommanufacturing, construction and retail, tofood production and administration. Wehelp our clients to put safety systems inplace, as well as assisting with policy, riskassessments and managing thosesystems. Our highly qualified staff helpcompanies comply with the law and keepboth their employees and the publicsafe. As a fully-trained health andsafety consultancy, with coursesmeeting HSE requirements, howdo you stay abreast of changesin safety legislation and theoccupational health needs ofmodern businesses? As a company, we carry outoccupational health checks – dust, noiseand vibration analysis and risk assessments– as well as carrying out asbestos surveys.We also have a fully-trained accidentinvestigator. Our goal is to help our clientsachieve compliance and rest easy in bedat night. We take the mystery and fear outof health and safety. Our consultants are all fully-qualifiedteachers and trainers who deliver trainingwithin their area of expertise. Our trainingis designed to involve delegates andchange thinking in order to help themachieve good safe standards. We coverall subjects in health and safety, frommanagement courses to asbestosawareness. Our consultants train and studyconstantly to stay up to date, with moststaff holding or working towards degreequalifications in health and safety. As well as offering courses, youalso provide businesses with riskand fire assessments. What’sinvolved during this process? Our fire and risk assessment servicesare second to none, meeting legalrequirements and providing action plansand documents that must be available forall commercial premises. Once again, ouraim is to make sure you comply with thelaw.Our consultancy services mean that weare there for you twenty-four hours a day,365 days a year. Whatever the questionor problem, we are always there to help.Q&AArion We recently sat down with Arion to discuss both branches of its business, from offeringhealth and safety training courses and safety and fire risk assessments, to providinghighly specialised PPE and other safety equipment. For more information, visit www.arionshop.co.uk,www.arionltd.co.uk, call 01529 413347, or email shop@arionltd.co.uk.36-37.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:48 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 37ARION Q&AArion Trading The second company under theArion umbrella is your tradingarm. Can you tell us more aboutthis side of the business?The goal of our training company is toprovide health and safety equipment,clothing and PPE which is consultantbacked. What does this mean? It’s simple:when you buy PPE or equipment, it mustbe right for the job or task it is intendedfor. It must be fitted properly and providethe right protection. There is so much tochoose from, it can be a minefield andgetting it wrong can be very costly. Some businesses can dothemselves a disservice bybuying one size fits all PPE.Arion Trading, however, offershighly specialised safetyuniforms and equipment. Howdoes this boost occupationalsafety? Occupational health is so important,and PPE is one of the defences weemploy to protect ourselves and our staff.It is vital we choose right and that it fits. As well as being able to tryequipment before they buy,consultants are also on-hand tofield questions and helpbusinesses get the rightproduct. How else do youensure businesses get theequipment they need?Our consultants can advise what youneed and why and can make sure it’ssuitable and fits properly. We also wantto provide a choice of the best kit atreasonable and competitive prices, onceagain reducing the burden for ourcustomers.Crissie Walker,Shop Operations ManagerWith their new embroidery machine, Arion can now put your logo on the clothing you buy there!10% OFFon orders over £50.00use MAGAZINE10 @ checkout36-37.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:48 Page 238Business Link www.blmforum.netMEET THE EXPERTSBetween these two counties, Yorkshireand Lincolnshire covers a huge crosssection of industry, many sectors of whichit is a proven leader in. But this isn’tsimply a coincidence, but rather built onthe hard work and dedication ofgenerations of businesses throughout ourregion. With experience comes knowledge andso we use our regular meet the expertsfeature to enable some of the region’sbusinesses, respective leaders in thefields, to share their knowledge and offersome insight into their success. This latest edition brings you leaders inthe accounting, hospitality, packagingand print solutions sectors, withcompanies that have carved out arenewed reputation for their services andcontinued excellence. Doing business locally has often beena phrase trumpeted by those in theregion who want to have morecustomers, with some cynically using it asa way to try and shame local companiesinto using them as suppliers. Nowadays,however, the focus has changed, andlocal companies are promotingthemselves not only on how close theyare geographically, but upon theirexpertise and incredible customerservice.Yorkshire and Lincolnshire businessesare excelling in numerous sectors – fromtraditional industries such as training andlegal advice to playing major roles in thepower generation field. These businessesare all succeeding individually, but theclusters of similar companies have helpedthem work together to swap ideas andbenefit from collaboration.So trust that the knowledge you’llreceive is trusted, proven and vital.Send inthe expertsExperts from sectors across our region share theirvast expertise, experience and insight. © Shutterstock/Wright Studio38-39.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:50 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 39MEET THE EXPERTSHarris, Lacey and Swain Suite 1, The Riverside Building, Livingstone Road, Hessle, HU13 0DZTel: 01482 646440 Web: www.hlas.co.ukEmail: hlas@hlas.co.ukCompany profile:Established in 1870,Harris, Lacey and Swaincombine experience andinnovation to offer its clientsa service that’s refreshinglydifferent. Providingeverything from everydayaccounting and taxationadvice, audit and assurance, and full-scale financial planning andbusiness development, Harris, Lacey and Swain always offer a client-focussed, bespoke service built around the needs of their clients.Product profile: Making Tax Digital (MTD) is one of the greatest changes to VATregistered businesses and, unbeknownst to many organisations, it isbecoming compulsory as of April 2019.Harris, Lacey and Swain partner, Richard Lacey, is proud to havecollaborated with QuickBooks to submit the very first VAT return onthe HMRC public beta for MTD; a significant advancement in theworld of contemporary accounting. In response to the looming MTD deadline, Mr Lacey launched asister company, Pink Pig, which is dedicated to cloud-basedaccounting solutions and provides a specialist service to supportbusinesses in making the move to digital accounting. ACCOUNTINGBest WesternOaklands Hall Hotel Barton Street, Laceby, Grimsby, DN37 7LFTel: 01472 872 248Web: www.oaklandshallhotel.co.ukEmail: reception@oaklandshallhotel.co.uk Company profile:Oaklands HallHotel is a three-starhotel which hasbeen owned byThe Underwoodfamily with apartner since 2011.Their aim was to bring the Oaklands back to some former glorythrough décor and improvements to the structure of the building.The hotel sits in five acres of landscaped gardens, perfect forweddings photos and corporate team building events. It boasts 46bedrooms with a mix of doubles, twins, family rooms and a juniorsuite for an added night of luxury. All the bedrooms have beenrefurbished since 2013 and are all a good quality. The in-houserestaurant, The Comfy Duck, holds an AA rosette for food, which theteam are rightfully are proud of. The hotel has won numerousawards in recent years including ‘Hotel of the Year’ and ‘Restaurantof the Year’. The restaurant was also crowned platinum in the annualdining awards hosted by our sister publication, Lincolnshire Today. HOSPITALITYLincoln Print &Copy Centre 9 Clifton Street, Stonefield ParkIndustrial Estate, Lincoln, LN5 8LQ Tel: 01522 546118 Email: sales@lincolncopycentre.co.ukWeb: www.lincolncopycentre.co.ukCompany profile:Lincoln Print & Copy Centrehas been providing the bestprint solutions for customers inthe Lincoln area for 38 years.Aiming to provide the serviceand advice customers need torun and promote theirbusinesses and organisations.With experienced and friendlystaff, a modern range ofequipment they can adapt to suit each customer’s requirements.Product profile: Offering a same day service on many items, customers can getthe rapid response required. Whether you need a straight forwardprint, copy or scanning service or something more complicatedinvolving design or print finishing, discuss it with the staff at LincolnPrint & Copy Centre and you can be sure a solution will be found.Products include business cards and business stationary, leaflets andbrochures, carbonless pads, architectural drawings and posters.An Ordnance Survey Map Data Centre, providing maps forplanning applications, historic & area maps from the OrdnanceSurvey archive.Call or email today to discuss your requirements.PRINT SOLUTIONSPACK & SEND (Lincoln) 4 Newland, LN1 1XD (Leeds) 11 Kirkstall Rd, LS3 1LHTel: (Lincoln) 01522 300 220 (Leeds) 0113 243 6393Web: www.packsend.co.uk (Leeds) leedsnorth@packsend.co.ukEmail: (Lincoln) lincoln@packsend.co.ukCompany profile:PACK & SEND is the UK’s leadingspecialist packaging and deliverycompany with service centres inlocations across the UK. It provides awide range of secure packing servicesensuring safe and secure delivery forvirtually anything to the UK, Europe andalmost anywhere else in the world. Product profile: PACK & SEND’s flexible approachdelivers a real end-to-end service for domestic and business users ofall sizes:-Collection from home or a work location when you need -High quality packing options from boxes and crates to injected foam protection-Wide choice of delivery services across the globe - road, air andsea-Complete loss or damage protection available - whatever the shipment value-Assistance with customs forms and import/export documentationContact the local Service Centres for an estimate. PACKAGING & DELIVERYRichard LaceyBarry Flint,GeneralManager 38-39.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:50 Page 2Next >