The Ipswich Flyer IpswichFlyer_Sep2018_For_Web | Page 6

The Flyer Columns
Advice
Pets at Work Policy?
Employers committed
to creating a safe
working environment
have the responsibility
for assuring the
health, safety
and welfare of all
employees. In keeping
with that objective, it
may mean that you
Clare Whight
need to set out the
Company’s approach
concerning employees bringing
their household pets to the offi ce or
workplace environments.
All pets, particularly dogs, are
generally not permitted. That said,
we have been asked to write a Pets
at Work Policy with permissions
granted on a discretional basis
and on the understanding that the
Company guidelines are followed. A
sensible risk assessment should be
considered, and welfare guidelines
issued by the RSPCA should be
considered and included. Clear
guidelines are recommended to avoid
misunderstandings:
• Responsibilities
• Exercising and restraints
• Emergency evacuation
• Provision and access to water
As with all discretional policies and
procedures, if these guidelines are not
followed then the privilege can be
removed.
Pet and Assistance Animals
Pet and assistance animals such
as guide dogs, can be permitted
in accordance with and under the
guidance of the Equality Act. These
animals are trained and relied on by
their owners for independence.
An approved and appropriate risk
assessment will need to be carried
out. This will include certifi cation of
criteria, vaccinations and insurance
to be provided. Animals must be
appropriately inoculated and under
the control of the owner at all times;
they are not to be allowed to roam
freely in offi ces or outside areas.
Any reasonable adjustment will be
considered as part of the assessment.
Animal owners may be held liable for
any injury or damage caused and will
therefore need to have appropriate
third-party insurance cover.
For further information on a compliant
policy, HR advice or guidance please
contact SOS-HR 01473 276170.
• Disposal of animal waste
• Injury to third party
In creating this policy, we had to take
into consideration various issues that
animals may pose such as a threat of
infection or causing allergic reactions
or illness as some employees may not
share the same animal enthusiasm
6
as others. They may experience
fear, stress or any other physical
or psychological discomfort, feel
threatened or be distracted by the
presence of animals; particularly dogs.
The Bank of England has
raised interest rates to 0.75%
**Sources SOS-HR and RSPCA
Please note that the content of this
article is for general information and
reference only and does not constitute
legal advice. Always take advice and
follow the correct best practice.
TH E FLYER | SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 8
Terry Weller
This month’s
Finance article
from Luke
Durrant, an
Independent
Financial Adviser
with Lifetime
Financial
Solutions
Expectations of a strengthening
economy, solid employment levels,
more consumer spending and the
potential for wages to rise have all
played a part in the decision.
The Bank’s main priority is to keep
the rising cost of living - known
as infl ation - under control. It uses
its key interest rate, known as the
Bank rate or base rate, which is the
reference point for how much banks
and building societies pay savers and
charge borrowers in interest.
Generally, a rise in the Bank rate is
good for the UK’s 45 million savers
and bad for borrowers.
Five interest rate facts
• More than 3.5 million residential
mortgages are on a variable or
tracker rate
• The average standard variable rate
mortgage is 4.72%
• On a £150,000 variable mortgage,
a rise to 0.75% is likely to increase
the annual cost by £224
• A Bank rate rise does not guarantee
the equivalent increase in interest
paid to savers. Half did not move
after the last rate rise
• No easy access savings account at a
major High Street bank pays interest
of more than 0.5%
Variable-rate mortgages
Across the UK, 9.1 million households
have a mortgage.
Of these, more than 3.5 million are on
a standard variable rate or a tracker
rate.
These are the people who would
be most affected, as their monthly
payments would increase.
The average outstanding balance is
£112,000. For somebody with 20 years
left on this mortgage, the monthly
increase would be about £14.
Fixed-rate mortgages
The vast majority of new mortgage
loans - 96% - are on fi xed interest
rates, typically for two or fi ve years.
Currently half of all outstanding loans
are on fi xed rates, equating to about
4.7 million households.
Some of these rates are expected to
rise after the latest announcement.
Of course, none of these borrowers
would see an immediate rise.
However, when such borrowers reach
the end of their term, they may fi nd
they have to make higher monthly
payments.
That said, they could - depending on
when they took out their loan - end
up on a cheaper deal. Lenders offering
fi xed rates tend to be especially
competitive.
Continued on Page 7.
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