Productivity

Dogs help boost sales at work

Allowing dogs into the workplace – an appropriate workplace, of course, with no hazards or staff with a phobia of dogs – is proven to reduce stress and boost morale.  Burns Pet Nutrition has released a list of five reasons dogs should go to work. Dogs reduce sick days Studies by…

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Retail sales rise in the build up to Christmas

Retail sales have risen in the year to December, according to the latest monthly CBI Distributive Trades Survey. The survey of 109 firms, of which 56 were retailers, showed that in the year to December, retail sales and orders continued to rise, although both disappointed expectations of somewhat stronger growth. Overall, sales…

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A third of UK businesses adopt pet-friendly policies despite mixed opinions

An estimated 1.7 million British businesses have adopted a pet-friendly policy, however, new data has revealed that two thirds of employees claim office dogs are bad for business. More than half of staff think that furry friends are a distraction, making for poor productivity. And having canines in the office…

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Pets boost small business sales

In the run up to Small Business Saturday (taking place on 2 December), American Express research reveals how a ‘shop dog’ can boost sales for small business owners. Having a pet on the payroll can boost the income of small shops across the UK as a whole by as much…

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Record reduction in retail employment

There has been a record reduction in the amount of people and hours worked in retail employment, according to the BRC. Hours worked in retail fell by 4.2 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago. Reductions in hours worked on both full-time and part-time contracts contributed. This is…

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Legal drugs – are you safeguarding your employees?

It’s a scenario any employer could imagine. A trusted employee – let’s call her Ellie –  has been absent with a slipped disc but is now back at work. She’s still in some discomfort, but she’s taking codeine tablets prescribed by her doctor to control the pain, and seems to…

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New campaign launched for health and wellbeing of small businesses

The health and wellbeing of small business owners, the self-employed, and indeed the staff of small employers are at the heart of a new campaign launched by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) today. The new drive from FSB will help its members – and the wider 5.5 million-strong small…

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42% of working millennials would enjoy a dog-friendly office

42 percent of those aged 18-34 across the UK would like or enjoy a dog-friendly workplace, finds new research from Purina PetCare. Companies looking for an edge in attracting the nation’s top millennial talent might want to consider dog-friendly workplace policies given that a quarter (24 percent) of millennials say this…

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Animal feed company secures 3.5m investment

Northamptonshire-based animal feed manufacturer, Dodson & Horrell, plans to improve its productivity and annual turnover. A 3.5m financial package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking is an investment in the modernisation of its plant and machinery. Dodson & Horrell, a family business established in 1939, specialises in animal nutrition. The company…

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Melton Mowbray encourages businesses to be pet friendly

Melton Mowbray has launched the PAW-some scheme – a new initiative to encourage more businesses in Melton Mowbray to become pet friendly. Councillor Mal Sheldon, chair of Melton Borough Council of Melton Borough Council’s Rural, Economic and Environmental Committee explained: “According to the Kennel Club, four out of five companies say that they…

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