SFA pre-budget submission

The SFA issued a press release on 28 August on its priorities for Budget 2018 stating that economic growth cannot be taken for granted and calling on Government to deliver on commitment to end discrimination against self-employed.

On 28 August this was covered in: 

• The Irish Times
• The Times
• Irish Examiner 
• Irish Independent 
• Breaking News.ie
• Tax news.com
• Sandyford.com

SFA Chair, Sue O’Neill was interviewed on the topic on Newstalk News, on Newstalk Drive and on KFM Radio on 28 August.

National Minimum Wage

The SFA issued a press release on 18 July criticising the Low Pay Commission's recommendations to Government on the National Minimum Wage. This was covered in the Northern Standard on 20 July and in the Sligo Weekender on 27 July. SFA Acting Director, Linda Barry was interviewed on the topic on TV3 News and on Newstalk Breakfast on 31 July.

Loan costs for small firms

An article in the Irish Examiner on 26 July reported that Irish banks continue to charge small firms the highest interest rates in the eurozone with a new central bank report suggesting the problem may have gotten worse for small firms. SFA Acting Director, Linda Barry said that even though only a minority of firms identified the costs of credit as a burning issue, expensive loans nonetheless played into a sense of the ill-feeling small firms have towards banks.

Skillnets training

The SFA was referred to in articles in the Northern Standard on 27 July and in the Westmeath Examiner on 12 August on the training and up-skilling staff through Skillnets to meet business needs.

UK border proposals

In an article in the Irish Times on 16 August, the SFA welcomed the prospect of no physical infrastructure at the border, and the avoidance of any future tariffs for the majority of firms, but cautioned much would still depend on talks with the EU.

Change to .ie registration policies

The SFA were referenced in an article in TheJournal.ie on 28 August on the launch of a public consultation on whether to change the rules for how people are able to register websites with a .ie at the end of it.

On Friday 1 September Sven Spollen-Behrens will take up the position of SFA Director.

He will have responsibility for strategy and overall management of SFA, lobbying, media and business queries. He will be the chief SFA spokesperson and government and media liaison.

Sven is looking forward to meeting many SFA members at events over the coming months. From Friday, he can be contacted on 01 605 1602 or sven@sfa.ie.  

In a recent case, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) held that Tennis Ireland discriminated on the grounds of age when recruiting for the post of chief executive. The Adjudication Officer held that the complainant was “significantly better qualified” than the successful comparator who was 14 years his junior. In making his case, the complainant drew attention to the fact that the word “mature” had been marked on his interview notes, which he claimed was a direct reference to his age. The complainant was awarded €6,500 in compensation for age discrimination.

This decision highlights the importance of conducting a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory recruitment process from the outset. The Employment Equality Acts, 1998 - 2015 ("the EEAs") prohibit discrimination by employers on nine grounds as follows: gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller Community. Importantly, Section 8 of the EEAs applies to prospective as well as current employees by prohibiting discrimination at the recruitment stage. The WRC can award up to €13,000 compensation to prospective employees who are found to have been subject to discrimination.

Top 5 tips for interviews

1. Ensure the job description and requirements are carefully drafted in any advertisement.  They must not be discriminatory or make explicit or implicit reference to the age, gender or any other characteristics of the potential employee
2. Ensure interviewers are trained and are aware of equality legislation
3. During interviews, candidates should all be asked the same core questions, to ensure a consistent and fair approach
4. The selection decision and any supporting evidence should be documented, including notes from the interviews. This should include the reasons why the successful candidate was chosen. It should be borne in mind at the time of taking interview notes that these can be requested by the candidate under data protection legislation
5. All records in relation to the interview process should be retained for 12 months.

For further information you can consult the SFA guideline on the equality implications of the recruitment process or contact Ciara McGuone on ciara.mcguone@sfa.ie or 01 605 1668.

On 28 August, the SFA launched its priorities for Budget 2018, which is due to be announced by Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, in mid-October.

Launching the SFA’s pre-Budget 2018 submission, Sue O’Neill, SFA Chair, said: “Continued economic growth cannot be taken for granted. If our country is to prosper over the coming years, it is vital to create an environment supportive of small business. Small businesses have been major contributors to growth, job creation and regional economic recovery and will continue to be, if the right choices are made in Budget 2018.”

Despite an upswing in recent months, small business confidence is still below the levels recorded before the UK’s vote to leave the EU. The SFA pre-Budget submission makes the case that Budget 2018 must give businesses the best possible opportunity to generate future economic growth by removing existing constraints and taking a “do no harm” approach with any new initiatives.

In light of the severe restrictions on the fiscal space for Budget 2018, the SFA submission focused on a small number of carefully selected priorities. The SFA believes that these actions will create the biggest impact with the available resources.

Small Firms Association priorities for Budget 2018

1. Increase the self-employed Earned Income Tax Credit to €1650 to equal the PAYE tax credit
2. Introduce a workable share-based remuneration scheme for employees of small firms
3. Increase the lifetime limit for CGT Entrepreneur Relief to €15 million
4. Increase capital expenditure to 4% of GDP per annum

The full SFA pre-Budget 2018 submission is available here.

The ‘Backbencher’ newsletter, which has been issued to all TDs and Senators, provides a summary of the submission. It is available here.

The SFA’s press release launching the small business priorities for Budget 2018 is available here.

A round up of press coverage is available here.

There are over 80 different government supports available to small businesses but many of them are not well known or understood. Each week in the SFA e-zine, we will profile a different support that could improve your business, giving you information and advice.

Prompt Payment Code

What? 

Voluntary code of practice for businesses committed to paying suppliers on time.

Those signing up to the Prompt Payment Code pledge to:

1. Pay suppliers on time:

• Within the terms agreed at the outset of the contract, or 30 days in accordance with legislation where no contractual terms exist
• Without attempting to change payment terms retrospectively
• Without changing practice on length of payment for smaller companies on unreasonable grounds

2. Give clear guidance to suppliers:

• Providing suppliers with clear and easily accessible guidance on payment procedures
• Ensuring there is a system for dealing with complaints and disputes which is communicated to suppliers
• Advising them promptly if there is any reason why an invoice will not be paid to the agreed terms

3. Encourage good practice:

• By requesting that lead suppliers encourage adoption of the code throughout their own supply chains 

Why? 

Getting paid on time is a never-ending concern for anyone in business, especially small firms. Late payment causes serious cash flow problems, requires firms to extend overdraft facilities and in some cases can even lead to insolvency and bankruptcy.

The Prompt Payment Code was developed by business for business with the aim of improving cash flow between business and moving towards a culture of prompt payment in Ireland.

The benefits of being a prompt payer include:

• It enhances your reputation which makes you more attractive to suppliers
• A culture of prompt payment promotes cash flow in both directions – you pay your suppliers on time and you get paid for your sales on time
• You will avoid costly late payment interest fees and compensation costs

How? 

You can sign up at www.promptpayment.ie by filling out a very brief form with your basic company information and details for a primary contact person. 

You will receive a toolkit that you can use to promote your prompt payment credentials, include a seal for your email signature, letterhead and other documents.

Tips

If you are interested in applying, don’t forget:

• Signing up for the Prompt Payment Code arrangement does not alter contractual relationships and does not change the legal position in relation to late payments
• The Prompt Payment Portal, www.promptpayment.ie, includes information and advice about credit management and the Prompt Payment Code. The Small Firms Association have written an article on ‘Getting Paid On Time’ in the Tips & Advice section
• Frequently asked questions are answered here
• The SFA and other business representative bodies have driven the creation of the Prompt Payment Code to address a serious problem for small businesses. We would encourage all member companies to become signatories and to be part of a nationwide solution. 

Commencing on 1 June, non-EEA students graduating with Irish degree awards at Level 8 and 9 (or above) on the National Framework of Qualifications can now avail of an extension to their immigration permission under the Third Level Graduate Scheme for 12 and 24 months respectively. This should be for the purpose of seeking graduate level employment and applying for a general employment permit, a critical skills employment permit or research hosting agreement. Applicants who have graduated on or after 1 January 2017 are eligible for the scheme but they are required to apply within 6 months of being awarded their degree. Further information can be accessed here.

Whats on the horizon?

This year’s SFA Employment Law Conference will be a vital opportunity for SFA members and other small businesses to understand recent changes in employment law and what they mean for your business, now and in the future. You will learn to protect your business interests while ensuring that you are acting in line with best practice and in compliance with the law.

Dates

• Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick - 9am - 4pm, 20 September 
• Clontarf Castle, Dublin - 9am - 4pm, 9 October 

What you will learn

• Recent legislation – how have things changed?
• Good record keeping and key dos and don’ts
• The WRC two years on – learning from case law
• How to manage the probationary period, ensuring that fair procedures and natural justice apply
• GDPR - Learn about this ground breaking data protection legislation which comes in to force on 25 May 2018
• What you need to do to get your house in order
• Vital lessons from the top 5 cases that will make a significant impact on your business
• Learn about the essentials of the disciplinary process and how to have difficult conversations
• Understand the 5 principal things your company should be doing before the end of 2017

Who should attend?

• All owner managers or managers in small businesses who need to build their competence and confidence in the vital area of employment legislation.

Price

• SFA Member rate: €190 + VAT @ 23% (€233.70)

Book your place at the Limerick or Dublin event now. 

The SFA Annual Lunch is the highlight of the small business calendar. It is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that small businesses make to the Irish economy and society.

The SFA Annual Lunch 2017 will take place in the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, 10 November from 12:30pm - 4:30pm. 

Join over 500 guests, including small business owner-managers, politicians, senior government officials and media for the biggest business lunch of the year for small business. This is also the perfect opportunity to bring together your invited guests, special customers, clients and valued employees to kick off the festive season.

Member rate of €750 + VAT for a table of 10 or €75 + VAT - book your tickets online now. 

Your Business Live, Ireland’s major small business event brings you the Irish Business Monitor – an indicator for businesses in Ireland, in partnership with SFA, Ibec and Enterprise Ireland.

The Irish Business Monitor take 5 minutes to complete and is a bi-annual survey for SME owner/managers, business leaders and decision makers. Please answer the survey to ensure that your business is part of this monitor across sectors, industries and regions and to be in with a chance to win exhibition space at Your Business Live event. 

Click here to take part in the Irish Business Monitor. 

Small businesses face many challenges and uncertainties in the current business environment. Rather than letting these delay investment in training for you and your staff, they make it all the more urgent. The competitiveness of your business depends on it. 

Unlock Your Potential is a suite of training programmes tailored to the needs of small business, offered by the Small Firms Association throughout 2017. The programmes are offered at special rates that make it realistic for small companies to participate.

Book now for the following courses:

• Project Management: 15 September (see here) or 7 December (see here)
• Performance Management and Appraisal Skills: 14 December (see here)
• Foundations in Management: 7-8 September (see here) or 23-24 November (see here)
• Foundations in Employment Law: 30 November-1 December (see here)

The price for SFA members is €190 per person for the one-day courses and €370 for the two-day courses.

Now is the time to invest in yourself and your employees. We encourage you to avail of the programmes being offered through the SFA to unlock your potential and that of your business. 

For all upcoming events and training courses, see www.sfa.ie/events