MANAGING MOONLIGHTERS

With the credit crunch in full swing many staff are now taking on second jobs. It is understandable when food and fuel prices are rocketing that people are looking to use all the resources available to them to make ends meet.  Whilst many employers understand the reasons behind second jobs they may not be so understanding if the second job starts to have a negative impact on their business, for example a serious conflict of interest or staff who are simply too tired to do their day job effectively.

If you are concerned that moonlighting staff could adversly affect your business -

• Ensure policies are in place to manage second jobs and make all staff aware of them
• Review employment terms and conditions - fidelity clauses may be required
• Raise the issue with staff to gauge their views and try to find amicable methods of resolving conflict before it arises.

Paid or unpaid, interests outside of work are often a positive way for employees to spend free time so it's always best to try to balance the needs of your employees with the needs of your  business and try to reach an amicable resolution.

FACEBOOK BANNED

More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of employers have now banned their staff from using social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace in the workplace, according to a new survey.

The poll found that 79 per cent of respondents had disciplined staff for using social networking sites during company hours without authorisation, often leading to organisation-wide bans.

This time last year, only a third (34 per cent) of employers had banned the sites. Twelve per cent of bosses admitted to checking their Facebook accounts on a regular basis in company time.

MINIMUM WAGE TO INCREASE AGAIN

The national minimum wage is to increase to £5.73 an hour from October 2008, boosting the pay of nearly one million workers.

That's an increase of 3.8% over last October's rate and is apparently down to the rise in food and energy bills putting pressure on households and hitting the pockets of the lowest paid.

The national minimum wage has risen by 60% since its introduction less than 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, the rate for 18- to 21-year-olds will also increase by 17p to £4.77 an hour, and for 16- to 17-year-olds it will rise by 13p to £3.53.