6 FARM NEWS AUG / SEP 2018 • farmers-mart . co . uk
6 FARM NEWS AUG / SEP 2018 • farmers-mart . co . uk
I am expanding my farm operation and looking to employ full-time staff members . What should I be aware of ?
We are living in an increasingly litigious society , where claiming for anything from PPI to personal injury has never been easier .
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HOWEVER , as an employer , you ’ re more likely to have an employment claim than a fire . It is a fact , that in 2017 almost one in four UK businesses reported they ’ d had an issue that could have result in legal action . From misuse of social media , to staff disagreements , claims can come from things you ’ d least expect . Those without the right protection are leaving themselves open to costly and often lengthy disputes .
Employment rights continue to be strengthened in the UK and can leave the uninitiated open
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to a claim that can cost many thousands of pounds . Even if you successfully defend a claim , you ’ ll have a large legal defence bill to cover too . What seems like an innocuous issue can quickly spin out of control . Most farms don ’ t have any HR support , or even have any training on how to manage such a situation .
The ability to access the right advice quickly and taking the correct action is key and can often prevent a situation escalating rapidly into a full-blown court case . The legal framework behind UK employment law is a minefield , something most of us don ’ t have time to study .
The insurance industry has reacted to this and offers a type of policy called Employment Practice Liability ( EPL ). This offers a defendant protection against the costs involved in a claim , such as legal representation and dealing with grievance issues ( such as mediation ), and often a telephone helpline to call as soon as an issue arises . Remember , you ’ ll need to cover defence costs even if you ’ re in the right .
I believe EPL should be part of every farm ’ s insurance programme , when the farm has its own employees . You can only do so much and making a mistake with employment issues can be extremely costly – the right insurance can be the difference between a hefty legal and compensation bill , and a withdrawn case and apology . Look at it as your employment law fire brigade .
Thomas Jones Farmers & Mercantile
The RITCHIE Combi Clamp has many useful features making it a unique and highly versatile sheep handling solution
Hands Free
Operating with your hands free allows you more time to deal with drenching , vaccinating , dagging or tagging . Completing tasks in less time makes life easier and healthier for you and your sheep . Minimal physical effort is required to hold the sheep compared to traditional methods .
Quiet The quiet operation is one of the most underrated features .
Left or Right-Handed Configuration
The clamp can be rotated to accommodate left or right-handed users and the approach race with the stop gate can be changed to enable the operator to stand on either side .
Safe Handling
The RITCHIE Combi Clamp has a “ wrap around ” effect providing increased grip but less pressure on the sheep , thus reducing the risk of sheep rearing up or sitting down . The unit is much kinder on in-lamb ewes and prime lambs reducing bruising .
Powerless Operation
The operator ’ s body weight is all that is required to operate the RITCHIE Combi Clamp mechanism , enabling the unit to be operated in remote areas . An optional removable axle and drawbar is available for easy movement between farms and fields .