Dawn Gallie, Senior Associate and Head of Employment at Battens Solicitors which has offices in Dorchester, Weymouth and Sherborne, said bosses could face higher payouts from unsuccessful tribunal cases under new government plans.

She said reaction to this week’s release of the Beecroft Report on employment law was understandably focusing on ‘no fault dismissal’ of employees and whether smaller firms should be exempt from some regulations.

However, she pointed to a potential ‘sting for employers’ in a separate employment review newly released by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The review, which follows a consultation on how best to resolve workplace disputes, recommends that employers who lose tribunal cases should pay fines of up to £5,000 directly into the coffers of the Treasury. The fine would be on top of their legal fees and the compensation paid to the employee.

No equivalent fine would be levelled on an employee losing a case but as a litigant they would have to pay a new, initial fee to start the tribunal process and arrange a hearing.

Ms Gallie, a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, said: “To have the sanction of a fine on top of legal fees and compensation is yet another reason for employers to be very careful about the whole tribunal process. While the government intends to allow judges some discretion in exercising the power, to ensure that employers are not penalised for inadvertent errors, the best advice is to ensure you are not breaching employment rights in the first place.”

]]> http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/directory/direct-moves/feed/ 0 http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/directory/puragen/ http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/directory/puragen/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 09:23:19 +0000 Kenneth http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/?post_type=im_directory&p=2464 http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/directory/puragen/feed/ 0 http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/2012/two-members-winner-and-semi-finalist-at-the-langtry-manor-business-women-awards-2012/ http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/2012/two-members-winner-and-semi-finalist-at-the-langtry-manor-business-women-awards-2012/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 16:40:45 +0000 Xavier http://www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk/?p=2461 Continue reading →]]> We are very proud to say that two members of the Dorchester Chamber did extremely well at the recent Langtry Manor Business Woman Awards 2012.

Joanna Davies from the Gilded Teapot was Semi-Finalist in the The Princecroft Willis Entrepreneur of the Year Award category, whilst Charlotte Bennett from Every Cloud was  the winner in the The Natwest New Business Award category.

On behalf of all Chamber Members, the Executive are sending their warmest congratulations to Charlotte and Jo for their outstanding achivements!

Doors will be opening at 7.30am

Event	Chamber Breakfast
When	Tuesday, June 19, 2012 7:45am - All Ages
Where	Cafe Panini (map) 11 Weymouth Avenue Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom DT1 1QR

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KINGSTON MAURWARD COLLEGE CHOSEN AS VENUE

The Dorchester Chamber of Commerce is holding a black tie gala dinner to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The Dorchester Chamber Diamond Ball will be held at Kingston Maurward College on Saturday, 30th June 2012.

The ball will start with a Pimms reception on the terrace overlooking the lakes and gardens. This will be followed by a specially prepared three course dinner using the best local produce. Then it’s the chance to dance the night away at this wonderful setting. There’s also a raffle planned with all proceeds going to the Weldmar Trust.

Chamber members and non members alike are welcome to attend. Tickets are £30 each for members (£35 for non members) while there are discounts for tables of eight. To book either book online, email the Dorchester Chamber secretary (secretary@dorchesterchamber.co.uk) or call Kenneth Addison on 01305 250808.

Invite for the Chamber's Mid-Summer Jubilee Ball

The slides from Michael’s presentation can be seen here.

Held at Porter Dodson, 53 High West Street.

Present:          *Matt Pye (MP), Alison Moore (AM), Denise Addison (DA), Steve Bulley (SB), Jon Edge (JE), Xavier Fabreguettes (XF), Caroline Paul (CP),Nick Taylor (NT), Jeremy Weekes (JW).

Also present: Kenneth Addison (KA).

* Part attendance

NT and AM acted as joint Chairmen for the meeting due to the apologies received from MP who was expected to arrive later.

65  Apologies for absence. Rob Fox (RF), Nigel Reeve (NR), David Taylor (DT).

66  Minutes of the Executive meeting held 4 April were approved.

67  Matters arising from the Minutes that are not on the Agenda.

1. Draft constitution revisions to be discussed at June meeting.

68  Presidents Report.

1. MP reported that he attended a BID meeting to discuss renewal of the DBID.
2. MP also attended a meeting at the Corn Exchange to discuss the “A” boards.

69  Vice Presidents’ Report

1. Diamond Ball.

AM reported that a draft flyer and ticket had been produced for approval. Suggested ticket price is £35. Orders to The Secretary by online only.  After discussion it was proposed by AM and seconded by JW that the ticket price be £30 for Members and partners, and £35 for Non Members. All agreed.

1. Lapsed Members.

KA to send details of Members who had renewed in 2012 to AM, who will then recirculate the revised list to the Executive for follow up action.

1. Sponsorship.

AM reported that she is negotiating with Porter Dodson for the Diamond Ball.

1. Evening Meeting 27 April.

24 attended. Joint report prepared for XF to publish on the web. It was considered that numbers were low due to Event being held on a Friday as this was the only night Oliver Letwin could attend.

KA to issue letters of thanks to both speakers.

70  Reports from Sub Groups

1. DA reported that the Town Presidents’ Meeting held Tuesday, 17 April had now 15 Chambers from Dorset of which 12 attended. Poole was soon to be created making 16 in total across Dorset. Launch of LEP Business Plan due 8 May (AM to attend). As a result of meeting retail sector had been added to the plan.  New electronic newsletter to be compiled by NR to be circulated to all Dorset Chambers by 15 May, its remit being that it should contain information to assist Chambers in projects.  It would also list events taking place across the county where other Chambers could attend.
2. DA reported that items for the new electronic newsletter must be with NR by 7May.  Articles up to 250 words with pictures. XF to receive copy for posting on the web.
3. SB reported that the Cracker website was in the process of being moved in house within the Chamber web ready for the 2012 event.
4. XF advised that the Chamber advertising rates need consideration of the Executive as to the pricing structure.
5. XF put forward a proposal to improve the method of informing Members of Chamber news by the use of mailchimp. With HTML Members would have the option to unsubscribe. XF to obtain estimates for purchase and report back. Proposed by SB and seconded by AM. All agreed.
6. NT confirmed speakers for breakfast meetings.  22/5 Giles Henshell; 19/6 Jo Lindeshall; 17/7 Mike Burkes. Breakfast flyer22/5 approved.  KA to arrange copy on 120g copy paper and pass photocopies to JE for distribution to Town Centre and Poundbury.  AM/XF/JW to assist.  NT stated he would send flyer to his data base.  DA disagreed stating that the breakfasts were for Dorchester members and local businesses.  AM expressed some concern over data protection.  Generally agreed NT could only send to data list on one occasion.

• MP joined meeting at 13.15

71  Treasurer’s Report

1. Current Account.               £8821.76
2. Cracker Account.               £3000.54
3. Requests for payment.     None outstanding.

72  Secretary’s Report

1. Membership. One renewal since last meeting.
2. Breakfast Meetings–credit cards. KA stated that XF had updated the PayPal system for payments so Members and visitors may use their existing credit cards via the hosting system
3. Markets. KA received request via Dorset Town Council for a one day Normandy market. Date Friday 18 May 2012. Reason: the Market is already booked in Sherborne.  KA to discuss viability with WDDC regarding licence and trade refuse. General opinion was too short a notice.
4. Correspondence. KA reported on the current system for the hire of the Gazeebos currently stored at the Town Council Depot. KA to see if changes can be agreed so that the Chamber may undertake a more active role. MP offered storage space if needed.

73  Any other urgent business. None.

74   Items for June Meeting.

1. Constitution updates.
2. Advertising on the Website.

75   Date of next Executive meeting – Wednesday 6 June 2012 at 1215.

The meeting closed at 1350.