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Woolley & Co E-Zine
Tips and ideas for keeping your business on the right side of the law
Welcome to the May 2004 Woolley E-Zine. This month we focus on IT, technology and the impact of the digital age. There’s also a link to an ACAS guidance note on employers responsibilities for holidays and holiday pay.We welcome your feedback – if there is any particular legal issue you’d like to see covered send the details through to marketing@e-lawfirm.co.uk. Andrew Woolley
Andrew Woolley, Principal, Woolley & Co
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The Worlds Gone E-Mad
According to a recent NatWest Bank Survey 82% of SMEs now use email – up from 14% in 1996. 50% of businesses now have a networked system and access to shared files and information. And of the 2/3rds of businesses that have a website 20% of them take payment on-line.All of this is great news for the IT and telecom industry and should be great news for the businesses themselves. But beware – the improvements in efficiency, reductions in costs and increase in service levels could all be for nothing if your business doesn’t have the right policies and contracts in place to protect itself. Let’s just take a look at what would be needed by the companies in the NatWest survey: Email users – if your staff has access to email make sure you have a company email and internet policy. For more details on what this should contain click here. Networked systems – setting up a network can be a very costly exercise so obviously you will want to make sure you have the correct contractual arrangements in place to protect your interests. But beyond the network itself have you thought about the software licenses you need? Going from stand alone computers and giving all employees access to software packages may mean you are liable for new licence fees. And once you open up the network to users and make files available to all you start to hit issues with things like data protection. How are you ensuing secure storage of your personnel and client records? Are you compliant with the Data Protection Act? To find out more read Data Keep it Safe. Websites – if you have a website, even a brochure ware website, have you made sure all of the legal requirements have been met? That you’ve included a site disclaimer, covering you against any liability, that your data protection policy is clear and if you are trading on-line – that clients can easily find and print your terms and conditions and things like your returns policy. If you are planning to trade on line – do prepare. You might start by reading our article How to Sell on the Internet in Safety. Yes – technology is a wonderful thing – but it doesn’t mean businesses should forget their legal responsibilities or fail to protect themselves from future problems. For a fixed fee of £95 plus VAT Andrew Woolley will conduct a legal assessment of your electronic and on-line activities. Call or email Andrew now on 01789 267377 or aw@e-lawfirm.co.uk. |
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The Digital Challenge
Businesses throughout the world are having to re-think their business model as the world goes E-mad. Over the last 5 years electronic media has revolutionised the world of commerce and international trade. The digitalisation of business has weeded out inefficiencies and put the consumer in charge – just think about the revolution created by eBay, where items as diverse as cars, holidays and theatre tickets can be traded on-line, anytime of the day or night and with the consumer setting the price, or at least controlling the price they’re willing to pay. And no business is immune to the challenge of the digital world. Greeting card giant Clinton Cards might feel safe – but how will they be affected by on-line businesses like www.moonpig.com? Have you considered how the digital age will impact on your business and what you can do to put yourself back in control? If you need advice and support Woolley & Co recommends a conversation with Intelligent Media Lab on 0845 057 3364 or visit them at www.intelligentmedialab.co.uk.
Employers Beware
ACAS have published an online advice and guidance on Holidays and Holiday Pay and gives information on:
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To find out more about these and other legal issues visit the Woolley & Co website at www.e-lawfirm.co.uk. The Woolley & Co E-Zine is sent monthly to subscribers. Feel free to pass on to friends and colleagues. To subscribe, click here. This E-Zine is mailed to subscribers monthly. If it has been sent to you in error we apologise, if you wish to unsubscribe to the Woolley & Co E-Zine click here.
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