Friday 13th heralded an important diary date for Berkshire businesses

Maidenhead-based HR services consultancy Bamboo Resourcing is hosting an informative free seminar at the Chartered Institute of Marketing in Cookham on Friday January 13th, from 9:30am.

Open to all directors, owner-managers and proprietors in the region, the seminar is being held in conjunction with Bambooís partner Peninsula, a leading Personnel, Employment Law and Health & Safety specialist. By drawing together the expertise of these industry experts, the seminar aims to help businesses in the Berkshire region manage the growing tide of Employment and Health & Safety legislation. With the increasing number of UK and European-led directives governing key HR issues from discrimination to working time directives, it is hoped that the seminar will motivate businesses to confront the importance of having an effective HR strategy in place.

ìDespite the sense of notoriety traditionally associated with this day, Bamboo will ensure that Friday January 13th 2006 is an extremely important diary date for Berkshire businesses,î comments Bamboo Senior Recruitment Consultant, Jessica Burnand. ìWith this seminar, we are aiming to show businesses in the area that they simply cannot afford to ignore the increasingly complex barrage of Employment and Health & Safety legislation. In the current climate, it is vital for businesses to possess a good HR strategy, effectively acting as insurance in case anything goes wrong. Put simply, an effective HR strategy could save your business thousands of pounds.î

Legislative developments governing HR issues are certainly increasing in volume. Over the last eight years, over 90 separate pieces of employment legislation have been passed, with over 100,000 applications made to employment tribunals in 2003 alone. In 2004, Health and Safety prosecutions grew by 6%, while corresponding fines rose to an average of 14,000 per successful prosecution. Meanwhile, prosecutions against employers are also increasing, with eleven successful convictions argued during 2004.

ìWorking in conjunction with Peninsula, the Bamboo seminar will attempt to present local businesses with the foundations necessary to combat statistics such as theseî adds Bamboo Operations Manager, Karen Green. ìDespite the difficulties outlined, it is possible for employers to comply with legislative requirements successfully. The seminar will show attendees how they can successfully negotiate this complex legal minefield, safeguarding their future development in the modern business environment.î

Demand for this event is expected to be high and it is advised that participants register in advance. Please contact Peninsulaís David Cryer on 0161 834 2773 to obtain a registration form.