Comms4Business News

Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) suggests that two-thirds of employers believe existing legislation helps them treat employees more fairly and earn their trust. The Disability Discrimination Act, the Sex Discrimination Act and the right to request flexible working rules were all cited as good legislation.

Entrepreneurs from across the country have been invited to enter the awards, which are endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry and have a top prize of £5,000. The judging panel will be using a wide range of criteria, including sales, customer focus, strategic planning, barriers to success and social and community responsibility.

For more information on the Startups Awards 2005 go to startupsawards.co.uk or call 020 8334 1638

Up to 14%, or 23 million, of these days lost to absence were a result of staff 'pulling sickies', it said. Three-quarters of firms believed that some employees take long weekends by dishonestly calling in sick. Some 74% said there was a link between their workers' patterns of absence and the unauthorised weekend extensions.

"Employees understand that staff are not invincible," said John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI. But he added that: "There are some employees out there who will gladly award themselves a day off when they are in good health at the expense of their employers and hard-working colleagues."

Others, however, have said that business leaders concerned about absence are 'missing the point'. Businesses should address the root causes of sickness absence, whether that means re-organising work, redesigning jobs or raising management standards, he added.

The OFT said it and trading standards offices have received thousands of complaints from businesses about the selling techniques of telesales workers. Many, it warned, make bogus claims about links to the emergency services or charitable organisations.

Sir John Vickers, OFT chairman, said: "Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to these types of unfair business practice. We advise all businesses to be wary: don't be pressured or tricked into agreeing to advertising you don't want or into paying for something you haven't requested.

The OFT advised managers not to not take unsolicited calls when they are too busy to give their full attention or agree to something just to get rid of a persistent caller.