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A truly independent contractor arrangement provides parties with the freedom to contract without many of the constraints applicable to employment relationships. However, not all contractor relationships are the same. While some contractors are truly "independent", others are "dependent" on their relationship for livelihood. In the latter case, the freedom to contract can be limited by implied obligations such as notice of termination requirements, and by express obligations, such as the statutory right to form and be part of unions. https://lnkd.in/efmabXH3

Cars delivered through a salary sacrifice scheme are up 47% YoY, indicating that EV incentives work for private buyers. Want to learn how this can benefit you as an employer or employee? Download your free guides here 👇 (link in the comments below) Salary sacrifice boom shows ‘EV incentives work for private buyers’ (fleetnews.co.uk)

The UK is one of only three net exporters of music globally; the world’s largest exporter of books; and second only to the US in advertising. The UK's creative sector therefore plays a pivotal role in driving the national economy. According to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Creative UK, creative industries generate around £125 billion annually - spanning advertising, architecture, design, fashion, film, software, music, performing arts, publishing, TV and radio. Altogether, these industries account for 5.7% of the UK’s total GVA and employ 2.3 million people. Credit to FT Global Media Editor Daniel Thomas for giving such a strong platform to the sector in the Financial Times today, where he examines how a Labour government could drive growth in the UK’s creative industries, including UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's commitment to “walk alongside” the sector and making it a cornerstone of Labour’s national growth strategy. #CreativeIndustries #Labour #Investment #EconomicGrowth #Culture

Thoughtful and stimulating overview of the challenges facing the UK's #creativeindustries from Daniel Thomas at Financial Times. Note some especially perceptive comments from Tom Adeyoola and Peter Bazalgette which cut sharply into historic failures. In 1997 under Blair and Chris Smith Labour had a plan for #culture and the 'creative industries' which was radical, bold and executed at pace. Currently Ms Nandy is offering us warm feelings and #northernsoul, but nothing resembling a strategy. A sentimental fondness for #localism will not deliver solutions to #competitiveness challenges or other deep structural problems - including long-term failures in #creativeeducation. Labour in government needs to develop a credible, cross-departmental strategy very fast, otherwise for the wider #creative sector it will be a case not of "Staying Ahead", as showcased in the eponymous (and ground-breaking) 2007 report from Nesta and others, but of struggling to "Keep Up" with the global competition. Complacency, as the House of Lords pointed out in January 2023 ("At risk: our creative future", HL Paper 125), is the biggest problem we face. Creative Industries Council Creative UK Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre BOP Consulting Department for Culture, Media and Sport John Newbigin OBE Neil W. Iain Bennett John McVay OBE James Purnell Woburn Partners

We've seen firsthand the brutal conditions cited in this article by The Guardian. It's exactly why Ethical Staffing was founded, and we endeavor to create festival working opportunities that uplift and enrich our staff's lives. We exclusively partner with organisations that uphold our values of fair pay, safe working environments and facilitate support to the hard workers who are the foundation of our industry. As our industry continues to face mounting challenges and uncertainty, cutting corners on worker welfare is not the answer. If we want a thriving, sustainable events sector, we must prioritise the people who make it all happen. #FestivalStaffing #StaffWelfare #RealLivingWage #EthicalStaffing

The UK film and television industry is anticipating significant reforms and support with the recent landslide election of a Labour government. Industry leaders have voiced a need for policies that address current challenges and leverage future opportunities. Here are the key points from my latest article: 📣Mitigating Brexit Impact: Simon Cornwell, CEO of The Ink Factory, urges pragmatic collaboration with Europe to alleviate economic strain and support UK talent. 📣Investing in Creativity: Anna Higgs of Casarotto Ramsay & Associates calls for long-term public investment in arts and education to enhance economic benefits and maintain the UK's creative reputation. 📣Competitive Tax Credits: Zygi Kamasa of True Brit Entertainment suggests expanding tax incentives to cover 100% of production spend, aligning with global competitors. 📣Supporting Cinemas: Phil Clapp of the UK Cinema Association highlights the need for reduced operational costs and VAT on cinema tickets to sustain the industry. 📣Distribution and Marketing Credits: Andy Leyshon of the Film Distributors’ Association proposes targeted credits to boost the reach and impact of UK films. 📣Decentralising Production: Leo Pearlman of Fulwell73 advocates for creating production hubs outside London to stimulate regional growth. 📣Educational Initiatives: Natasha Dack Ojumu and Jon Wardle emphasize increased arts education funding and apprenticeship reforms to nurture future talent. 📣Creative Rights and Fair Treatment: Paul Fleming and Ellie Peers call for better rights and protections for creatives, particularly in the face of AI advancements. 📣Regional Production Support: Mark Herbert of Warp Films highlights the economic and cultural importance of regional productions. The industry is hopeful for comprehensive support to sustain growth and reinforce the UK's status as a global creative powerhouse. Read the full article (https://lnkd.in/dEDi_RcC) for an in-depth look at these strategic recommendations. #UKFilm #Television #CreativeIndustry #LabourGovernment #Brexit #ArtsEducation #TaxIncentives #Cinemas #Distribution #RegionalGrowth #CreativeRights #FutureTalent #Innovation

It takes two: Exempt Employees must meet both salary and duties test SHRM article review. HR professionals and business leaders, if not already, need to start planning for these changes. Salary thresholds are going up on July 1st, 2024, January 1st, 2025, and every 3 years starting in 2027. Note: I am not a legal expert or legal advisor so check with your legal team about how to interpret the duties test to ensure you are staying compliant with these changes. Without revealing any company secrets, how are you and your organization planning to implement these new changes? Let me know in the comments below. Have a great day! #HR #exemptemployees #businessleaders #executives #shrm #hrmanagement https://lnkd.in/eCFA2Ymw

Forced Labour Observatory, many useful data available Forced labour and modern slavery is still existing on a large scale. ILO Conventions 29 (1930) ,105 (1957), and Protocol 2014 are in place to stand up against it. But to act against it is not always simple. Data can be helpful to develop national policies. The International Labour Organization is collecting data about the phenomenon from across the globe in an open access observatory. About every member country. Very useful for lawyers, researchers and policy makers. Click on the link and have a close look. #decentwork #sdg8 #forcedlabour #modernslavery 👇 👇 👇 https://lnkd.in/ecgiRbMZ

We read today a great, long article in the Financial Times on the UK’s creative sector, and its vital role in stimulating growth of the UK economy.  The FT reminds us that the creative sector in the UK employs around 2.3m people. It’s worth £125bn. The UK leads the world in film and TV, in fashion, the arts, gaming and music. Can the government help make it a sector we are proud of, recognising our world-leading talent?  For Film and TV, there is rising competition from rival nations in the UK and Asia. South Korea is taking the world by storm, and investing in its future. The UK needs to keep up, to invest in modern studio space and technology.  The Marlow Film Studios intends to be part of this growth strategy, bringing jobs and investments to Bucks, and building a future for our new generation.  If you have an FT subscription you can read the full article here:

Supporting Second Chances and Building Stronger Communities Hello everyone, I’m excited to share a collaboration with Disclosure Scotland aimed at promoting the benefits of employing ex-offenders to employers and highlighting the positive impacts on our communities and the wider economy. At ACS Clothing Limited, we are proud to actively recruit from our local area, embracing a diverse workforce that includes individuals from various backgrounds, including ex-offenders. Our commitment to providing second chances has not only enriched our team but also contributed to stronger, more inclusive communities. https://lnkd.in/ebJpGXVP In the video, I discussed the numerous benefits of employing ex-offenders, including: Talent Utilisation: Ex-offenders often bring unique skills and perspectives that can greatly benefit our business. Community Impact: Providing employment opportunities helps reduce reoffending and supports the reintegration of ex-offenders into society. Economic Growth: Inclusive hiring practices contribute to the wider economy by creating a more diverse and productive workforce. Of course, this journey has not been without its challenges. We’ve faced hurdles in changing perceptions and ensuring adequate support systems for new hires. However, the lessons learned and the success stories we’ve witnessed far outweigh any obstacles. Our experience has shown that with the right support and an open mind, employing ex-offenders can be incredibly rewarding. I invite my colleagues and connections to join this important conversation. Let’s work together to break down barriers and create opportunities that benefit everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about our journey, the challenges we’ve faced, and the success stories that have emerged, please feel free to reach out to me or to Disclosure Scotland. Let’s continue to promote inclusive hiring practices and support the reintegration of ex-offenders into the workforce. Together, we can make a difference! #SecondChances #InclusiveHiring #CommunityImpact #EconomicGrowth #DiversityAndInclusion #ACSClothing #DisclosureScotland Gareth Wilks