Why Should You Ensure Staff Training is Complete and Up to Date?

As a small business, are you confident that the staff training you offer is sufficient for your company and the roles of your employees?

There are many reasons why staff training should be a priority within your business and as an example, we wanted to bring your attention to an event that happened in September 2019 when a cargo ship loaded with 4,200 cars capsized off the east coast of the US.

The cause? Inadequate software training being given to the chief officer reporting to the captain of the ship. This meant he was unable and ill-equipped to calculate the weight of cargo on the ship and the amount of water required below deck to counterbalance the cargo aboard. The software training would have been a necessity in order to avoid the vessel becoming top heavy and keeling over. Thankfully, all crew were safely rescued but the cargo and ship were less fortunate.

The result of inadequate training? Losses of over £147m, the crew members being put at unnecessary risk, a large clear-up operation and environmental damage to the surrounding area. The entire incident could have been avoided with appropriate training. The operator of the vessel has since increased its staff training on calculating stability.

 

So, the question is, as a small business, are you giving the correct training required for your company?

As an employer, it is essential that you regularly conduct staff training and keep a record of the type of training and date of completion. This protects both you as the employer and your employees. Training records help to keep on top of training renewal and act as evidence should they be required as part of an HR tribunal, following an employee’s dismissal. 

What are the statutory minimum staff training requirements? 

Statutory training relates to training that is required legally in order to protect individuals in the workplace. The following are examples of statutory staff training requirements:

  • Health and Safety Training
  • Fire Safety Awareness Training
  • Incident Reporting
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
  • Manual Handling Training
  • Risk Assessment Training

As an employer, it is your duty to ensure that employees know exactly what is required and expected of them as part of your organisation. 

When both employees and employers are clear about the legal requirements involved in their positions, misunderstandings and miscommunications can easily be avoided. 

Even the smallest of businesses need to ensure that they have basic processes and procedures in place and are compliant with both employment law and health safety. 

 

If you need advice on the staff training required for your small business, our HR experts are here to help. Click below to book a call at a time convenient to you. 

Navigating Christmas annual leave can be challenging for small businesses, but now is the time to tackle it head-on. With the festive season just around the corner, many companies are planning their holiday policies for the upcoming Christmas period. This year, due to the placement of the bank holidays, a common approach is to allow employees to take up to five days of leave to bridge the gap between Christmas and New Year. However, flexibility is key, especially for businesses with varied operations and employee needs. 

Managing Christmas Annual Leave

Here are some strategies for managing leave over the Christmas period, ensuring minimal disruption while supporting your employees:

1) Offer Flexible Leave Options

Rather than mandating a full five-day leave deduction, consider offering employees the option to take fewer days, depending on their individual leave balance. This provides flexibility for both the business and your workforce.

2) Borrowing from Next Year’s Allowance

For employees who do not have enough leave to cover the period, allow them to borrow days from their next year’s allowance. This gives them the ability to enjoy the full break without impacting operations or personal leave planning.

3) Unpaid Leave as an Alternative

Some employees may prefer not to borrow leave or may have exhausted their entitlement. Offering unpaid leave for the closure period is a simple, cost-effective solution that allows them to take time off without using future leave. 

HR Health Check Kate Underwood HR
Share This