Chambers Ireland Weekly digest: 2nd Oct 2017

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The One4all Spotlight Awards 2017

Nominate a colleague for the One4all Spotlight Awards!

  • Free entry
  • Your colleague could win up to €500
  • Great way to recognise staff

The One4all Spotlight Awards, in association with Chambers Ireland, have been launched to help shine a light on employees that deserve special recognition within their organisations. With recent research showing that 40% of Irish companies do not offer any sort of benefit/reward for staff loyalty, this is your opportunity to recognise and reward a member of staff who goes above and beyond in their role to achieve success.

The Spotlights are completely free to enter, and submitting your entry takes less than five minutes. Whether you have a great colleague who deserves a little more recognition or an outstanding team member who has contributed to the success of your business, the Spotlights are your chance to say ‘thank you’.

The Spotlights will be judged by a panel of judges that will include independent and Chambers representatives from around the country. One overall Spotlights winner will be chosen and awarded a €500 One4all Gift Card and a trophy, while Silver and Bronze winners will receive €300 and €200 Gift Cards respectively.

To nominate a member of staff, simply visit www.one4allrewards.ie/spotlights and fill in the short form above. Entries close on Friday 27th October. Judging will take place Friday 3rd November, with winners being contacted and announced shortly afterwards.

  • Chambers Ireland European Economic Survey 2018

Chambers Ireland, in conjunction with Eurochambres, has launched the European Economic Survey for 2018. This is the 25th edition of this annual Eurochambres assessment of the European business community’s expectations for the year ahead. The target audience of this survey is businesses and chamber members all around the country

The results of this survey will be used to help us to identify the main challenges for business in the coming year. This survey should take no more than 3-5 minutes to complete.

We have extended the deadline for completion is this Thursday, 5th October 2017. Questions marked with an asterisk (*) are required. If you have any questions about the survey, please email Chambers Ireland at emma.kerins@chambers.ie

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZD5GN5G

  • Eurochambres Economic Forum 2017

Registration is now open for the EUROCHAMBRES Economic Forum 2017 (EEF 2017). At EEF 2017 we are keen to ensure that all of our delegates and speakers have an exceptional opportunity to learn, network and share with colleagues of the Chamber network and the business world.

The forum theme, ‘Chambers in the Digital Era’ is designed to identify and provide solutions for challenges faced by our network and help create common effective strategies to move into the future.

Here is a preview of what you can expect at this year’s Forum:

  • Welcome Gala Dinner on October 25th.
  • Workshops and best practices booths delivered by chamber colleagues and associates to share experiences and demonstrate the impact new digital tools has made to their organisation.
  • Roundtables for  regional and thematic current and future project community creation
  • Opportunities for feedback to Chamber leadership
  • Ongoing C2C networking opportunities throughout the 3 days powered by B2Match

More details about EEF 2017 can be found on the forum website: https://www.b2match.eu/eurochambres-economic-forum17

For questions about registration, please contact eef@eurochambres.eu

  • Peninsula HR Advice: Changes to Zero Hour Contracts

On May 2nd 2017, the Irish Government approved draft legislative proposals brought forward by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, and the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen, in response to the commitment in the Programme for Government to address problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious work.

The draft proposals, which address zero hour contracts, low hour contracts, banded hours and related matters, are targeted at low-paid workers in particular. The proposals include an amendment to the Organisation of Working Time Act which will prohibit zero hour contracts in most circumstances.

The zero hour contract has been a controversial topic in Ireland over the last number of years. Employees often feel unhappy with their uncertainty as to hours they will work in the coming weeks. A recent survey conducted by the CIPD states how 46% of employees on zero hour contracts have had shifts cancelled at very short notice.

The Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD, said that “developing policy proposals on employment rights is a complex matter. A balance needs to be found between protecting the rights of employees and avoiding unintended consequences on business, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.”

Currently, 15 terms of employment are required to be given by employers to employees within two months of employment commencing. Instead, it is proposed that employers must inform employees in writing, within 5 days of commencement of employment, of the following 5 core terms of employment:

  • The full name of the employer and employee
  • The address of the employer
  • The expected duration of the contract (where the contract is temporary or fixed-term)
  • The rate of method of calculating pay, and
  • What the employer reasonably expects the normal length of the employee’s working day and week will be

The draft legislation will now be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a Bill.

If you have any questions in relation to zero hour contracts, or any of the topics covered in this article, please contact Peninsula’s 24 Hour Advice Service on 01 855 50 50

  • GPP4Growth Stakeholder Event – Portlaoise, October 2017

Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment have organised a second GPP4Growth Stakeholder Event for Thursday 12th of October from 9am to 2.30pm including lunch. The workshop will take place in the Midlands Park Hotel (formerly Portlaoise Heritage Hotel).

This event will look at barriers to Green Public Procurement in Ireland at national and local level, and will aim to identify the key actions that could help drive an increase in GPP.

Booking for this free event is now open at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/gpp4g-workshop-1-tickets-37417149702 and the password is DCCAE2017.

Attendees who wish to stay at the hotel the night before can avail of a reduced rate using the discount code DCCAE when booking through www.midlandsparkhotel.com.

  • ISO 20400:2017 Sustainable Procurement workshop

The Lean Skillnet, with support from NSAI, is offering a one-day workshop on the new Sustainable Procurement standard ISO 20400.

ISO 20400 is aimed at organisations of all sizes, in both the public and private sectors, as it applies to virtually every purchasing decision from office supplies and caterers to energy providers, building materials and more.

Download an ISO brochure on Sustainable Procurement here

This Lean Skillnet one-day programme will provide guidelines for organisations wanting to integrate sustainability into their procurement processes, as described in ISO 26000 Social Responsibility. The training is intended for stakeholders involved in or impacted by procurement decision processes.

The workshop takes place on the October 4th in NSAI Dublin Head Offices.

 

  • Electric Vehicles for Business

Electric vehicles (EVs) are not only environmentally friendly; they are also good for business.

What are the Benefits of Electric Vehicles for business in Ireland?

  • Tax Benefits: Electric vehicles and associated charging infrastructure qualify for Accelerated Capital Allowances as well as reduced motor tax.
  • Grant Support: SEAI (http://www.seai.ie/) offer a purchase grant of up to €3,800 for N1 category vehicles.
  • Running Costs: Savings on fuel and maintenance costs when compared to petrol or diesel vehicle equivalents.
  • Environmental Image: Electric vehicles can play an integral role in environmental CSR strategies, alongside significantly reducing a business’s carbon footprint.

EVs are fast becoming an economical choice for businesses.

Thermodial, a leader in the Irish building service engineering sector since 1987, has embarked on a 5 year programme to convert its entire vehicle fleet (35 vehicles) to EVs. Commenting on the decision to make the switch, Thermodial Managing Director Turlough Kinane, said “Energy management is a rising global theme that is very relevant to our business as reflected by our attainment of the ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System in 2016. We didn’t take long to first assess and then invest on the basis that it is the right thing for us to do both professionally, environmentally and financially too.”

The company has already made the move to phase-in new electric vans (zero-emissions Nissan eNV200s) as old, diesel-powered vehicles reach replacement age. The entire Thermodial fleet will be 100% electric by 2022.

For more information on electric vehicles and associated incentives please visit http://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/

  • ICCUSA’s 29th Annual American Celtic Ball

The 29th Annual American Celtic Ball will take place in Friday, October 6th, 2017 at the Plaza Hotel New York City.

This year, the Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Awards will be presented to Mr. Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, Mr. Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Group Chief Executive of Ballymore Group and Mr. John A. Canning, Jr., Founder and Chairman of Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC.

The Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Award will be presented to the Co-Founders of Operation Smile, Dr. William P. Magee, Jr. and Mrs. Kathleen S. Magee.

Please find attached flyer with all the relevant details.

  • EIT call for expressions of interest for Governing Board

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology recently launched a Call for expressions of interest for the selection of five members of the EIT Governing Board. The EIT Governing Board is entrusted with providing the strategic leadership of the EIT. The board is independent and autonomous in its decision-making and is responsible for the selection, designation and evaluation of the EIT’s Innovation Communities.

For more information on the Call for expressions and application process please visit our website: https://eit.europa.eu/newsroom/call-expressions-interest-eit-governing-board-2017

  • Enterprise Ireland- Meet the Buyer for the construction of the new children’s hospital

Enterprise Ireland in association with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board would like to invite you to a Meet the Buyer Event for the construction of the New Children’s Hospital. This event will offer you the opportunity to meet with the contractors, BAM Building Ltd, Jones Engineering Group and Mercury Engineering Ireland and pitch for business. To register, just click on the link below.

  • Date: 25th October
  • Time: 8am – 12 noon
  • Venue: Royal Hospital Kilmainham Dublin 8

To register: https://www.eventsforce.net/enterpriseireland/2168/home

  • CIArb Ireland and Law Society Host Mediation Awareness Week Event

As part of Mediation Awareness Week the Law Society of Ireland in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators have organised a free event (registration required).Topics to be covered include:

  • The Mediation Bill 2017
  • The importance of using Mediation Clauses
  • Mediation in Practice with Mediators sharing their experience

Speakers include Liam Guidera (Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran), Richard Lee (Principal Lee Solicitors) and more to be confirmed.

  • Date: Friday 13 October 2017 (9.30am -11.30am)
  • Venue: Blue Room, The Law Society of Ireland
  • CPD Hours: For solicitors – 1 Gen Hour and 1 M&PD hour

Book your free ticket by registering here. For any queries please contact John Lunney: J.Lunney@LawSociety.ie