ASHFORD’S SEARCH FOR AN APPRENTICE CONTINUES!

This week sees the return of Sir Alan Sugar to BBC 1 with the 5th series of “The Apprentice”. I’ll be glued to the TV on a Wednesday evening watching the Candidates bat-tle each other, behaving badly and wondering how on earth they have got to where they have by being so inept, so unbusiness like and at times down-right rude!

I also love Sir Alan’s way with words "You’re a failure", "You’re a lightweight", "You’re an utter shambles", "You’re a mess" - “You’re fired!”

Working in HR, I can only marvel at the way in which he completely flouts employment legislation and sometimes secretly wish I had the opportunity to say, “You’re a complete wimp, you’re fired!”

On 26th February I attended a seminar on the benefits of employing Apprentices, held by the Learning and Skills Council, chaired by Sir Alan (as I feel I can call him now we have shaken hands and said hello!)

We are now pursuing a num-ber of routes with a view to taking on a number of Apprentices each year, hopefully starting in September. We’ll keep you updated with how our search progresses but if you have any ideas for “tasks” along the lines of those used by Sir Alan ......

CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT coming to a letter box near you!

Question: Why do we need to have a formal contract of employment? I’ve been working for Ashford for sometime and haven’t needed one?

Answer: As soon as you start work it will show that you accepted the job on the terms offered by the employer, even if you don’t know what they are. Having a written contract will avoid any misunderstanding over your terms and conditions and will clarify your employment rights. It’s for your protection as well as for Ashford.

Whilst a letter offering you a job or the act of starting work, will set up a “contract”, employers are under a statutory obligation to issue a full written statement of articulars under the Employment Rights Act 1996.

This contract will include your job title, pay, hours of work, holiday pay, sick pay, notice periods and any disciplinary and grievance procedures
followed.

Over the next few months I will be issuing you all with a contract of employment, should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Carole