Advice, guidance and H&S
Find information to help your business to restart & reopen. In addition to official Government advice, we have provided a number of downloadable templates to get your business back on track
The UK Government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan presents a programme for suppressing the virus, protecting the NHS and the vulnerable, keeping education and the economy going and providing a route back to normality. The plan sets out the Government’s approach to ending the national restrictions on 2 December.
>>Summary of COVID-19 Winter Plan<<
The Government has announced the provision of Local Restrictions Support Grants to assist businesses that have been mandated to close from 5th November 2020 to manage the spread of coronavirus.
How much funding will be provided?
For those businesses that are closed and have a current business rates account the amount of the funding is based on the property rateable value with payments being made of up to £3,000 for the 4 week national lockdown period.
Check Your Business Rates Valuation Here
Application forms are available below. Please follow the links below to your relevant local authority page and complete the application forms provided. You may be asked in some cases to provide your Business Rates Account Number, so be sure to have this information to hand.
North Warwickshire Borough Council
The Government’s roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
>>The Government's full COVID-19 Recovery Strategy document<<
Our QES in Coventry & Warwickshire is delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group
The NHS test and trace service:
- ensures that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents
- helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus
The Government is introducing this service to help return life more to normal, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care. The service will allow us to trace the spread of the virus and isolate new infections and play a vital role in giving us early warning if the virus is increasing again, locally or nationally.
This is a list of tailored advice for different scenarios as an example of how social distancing and other measures might be implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce and customers from coronavirus while still continuing to trade.
These are not intended to be comprehensive or to represent every business’s situation, but are illustrative examples.
Businesses should also look to the advice being published by trade associations and similar groups on how to work out government guidance in their sector.
Acas gives employees & employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules & best practice. We also offer training & help to resolve disputes.
- Employment rights & advice
- Best practice and policies
- Workplace conflict & mediation
- Training
For more information & to contact Acas:
Telephone: 0330 109 3030
Email: [email protected]
Leading Warwickshire Law firm, Wright Hassall LLP, have produced a COVID-19 Employee Survey template which businesses & employers can use to gain insight in to how their workforce is feeling ahead of returning to the workplace and options for flexible working:
The Health & Safety Executive have provided advice & guidance for businesses and employers to support them in returning to the workplace
ChamberProtect serivce provider, Quest, have developed an example COVID-19 Risk Assessment and full guidance & advice when completing the risk assessment for businesses & employers:
>>Download Risk Assessment Template<<
This guidance can be applied to any non-healthcare setting such as workplaces, offices, waiting rooms, hotel rooms, student accommodation, boarding schools
Paying dividends in lieu of salary is common (and tax efficient) for the vast majority of SME businesses, however directors considering whether to pay a dividend during these current turbulent times should take a range of factors into account, as the decision is much more complex than many realise!
Whilst the last annual accounts of a company may show sufficient distributable profits to meet the Companies Act 2006’s statutory test to pay a dividend, there are other legal tests and other factors to consider before a company decides to pay a dividend.
Perhaps most importantly in times such as these is that the financial position of a company may have deteriorated significantly from that shown in its last annual accounts, as may its prospects for the immediate future. Two key tests are noted below, but directors should also consider the possible application of insolvency and other laws as appropriate.
Your ChamberProtect service provides businesses with access to professional HR, Legal, H&S and Tax/VAT advice and documentation via a practical and easy to follow online reference manual.
- ChamberHR
- ChamberLegal
- ChamberH&S
- ChamberTAX
We know how challenging starting up a business can be. We also know how rewarding it can be when you get it right from the outset, which is why we offer a range of support to help get your new venture up and running.
The C&W Chamber Business Support Team can provide free coaching and advice to eligible local business.
This activity forms part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The C&W Chamber Business Support Team can provide free coaching and advice to eligible local business. Most small to medium-sized (SME) business can qualify for assistance as long as they operate within the Coventry and Warwickshire region and operate in an eligible sector. *Eligibility criteria applies
This activity forms part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
As we continue to use Zoom for online calls and webinars, we need to be increasingly vigilant to avoid security breaches or 'Zoombombing' which has increased across the UK and globally.
- FREE 15 min. introductory consultation via Zoom (limited number)
- Taking The Fear Out of H&S Compliance - 45 min. Zoom session
- Ensuring H&S Compliance Through Risk Assessment - 45 min. Zoom session
- Beyond H&S Compliance - A Different Mindset - 45 min. Zoom session
Absolute Works is an Employment Law and HR consultancy, payroll bureau, health and safety and Apprenticeships Training Provider for SME's
Services
- HR and Employment law
- Employment Law Advice
- Employment contracts, policies templates
- Acas and pre-Tribunal support
- Furlough audit documentation
Delivery & Ordering: We are able to provide immediate telephone advice and depending upon the complexity of the enquiry and provide relevant documentation within a few hours
Minimum Order Value / Quantity: We do not have a minimum order value
Chamber Members Offer: FREE 15-minute telephone consultation & advice call for Chamber Members
For more information & to place an order:
Telephone: 01926 355560
Email: [email protected]
Thorne Coaching provides coaching to business leaders and managers to help them find fresh perspective, clarity and direction
- Developmental and leadership coaching
- Develop yourself, your team and your business
- Deliver improved results
- Think more strategically
Ordering & Delivery: We ideally allow for 2 weeks from signing contracts to the first coaching session, though this can be shorter by mutual agreement.
Minimum Order Value / Quantity: No minimum, but to achieve the best long-term impact from coaching we recommend a block of 6 sessions over several months. Discounted rates are available for pre-booked blocks of 6 sessions (per person being coached).
Chamber Members Offer: Chamber Members can benefit from 3 hours of free coaching booked before 30th June for Chamber members only (limited availability)
For more information & to contact Thorne Coaching & Consulting:
Telephone: 07969 141481
Email: [email protected]
Global Forensics Ltd is mainly a provider for the Law Enforcement Agencies around the World. Providing Forensic Services, Products & Training
- Producing COVID-19 Company Policy Statements
- Conducting an on-site Risk Assessment - most industries covered
- Advising on H&S COVID-19 issues facing companies
- Sourcing Hand Sanitiser / Infra-red Dispensers & other PPE
Delivery & Ordering: Normally one day to two weeks - depends on the complexity of the requirements
Minimum Order Value / Quantity: None and we are operating at reduced day rates to help fellow Chamber of Commerce Members
Chamber Members Offer: We aim to provide good quality advise at affordable day rates and can buy COVID-19 products at wholesale prices to provide VFM
For more information & to place an order:
Telephone: 07546 946917
Email: [email protected]
Pathway offer COVID-19 risk assessments, audits, training and trained staff
- COVID Secure Risk Assessments
- Health and Safety Audits
- COVID-19 Training
- COVID-19 Trained Staff
Delivery & Ordering: We can have bookings set up immediately or to suit your needs
Minimum Order Value / Quantity: N/A
Chamber Members Offer: N/A
For more information & to place an order:
Telephone: 07740 656573
Email: [email protected]
