This bulletin is produced on a monthly basis and provides up-to-date business tips and advice, giving you valuable knowledge to:

• Keep abreast of legal and regulatory changes
• Improve business processes
• Run your business more effectively

December's bulletin discusses the issue of noise in the workplace, looks at a case of unfair dismissal within the NHS, as well as illegal immigrants working at the Home Office.

November's bulletin looks at a recent age discrimination case which has implications for young workers, introduces two new documents to the service, the Work experience agreement and the Risk assessment for a young person on work experience, as well as revisits the issue of health and safety in the workplace.

October's bulletin looks at the issue of taking on fixed-term employees, introducing a new document in this service, the Fixed-term employment agreement. In addition, we also look at opting out of the 48-hour working week and a case involving royalties for music played on your premises.

September's bulletin deals with such issues as whistleblowing, disciplinary procedures and an update on the National Minimum Wage.

August's bulletin reflects on the tragedy of the recent hotel fire in Newquay and looks at fire safety for your own business. In addition, the bulletin centres around hiring and firing when it looks at a recent case of discrimination in hiring and also how shows like The Apprentice are influencing the ways that some employers handle dismissals.

July's bulletin covers the topical topic of celebrity law breakers and looks at how how one recent legal celebrity case has implications for you and your business. In addition, we revisit the topic of the UK smoking ban and what implications new age legislation is having for businesses.

June's bulletin explores the issue of disciplinary procedures by highlighting a recent case brought before employment tribunal, includes a warning about hiring illegal workers and information on the new WEEE Regulations.

There is a lot to consider when taking on new members of staff: firstly, there is the initial recruitment process, where you advertise the job, sort through CVs and conduct interviews. Then, once you find the right employee, there are the employment contracts to consider, the induction meeting to conduct and all the health and safety issues involved, among other things.

Then, of course, there are all the legal issues involved with these processes. May's issue contains information relating to the hiring of staff. Topics include:

• Preventing discrimination claims when hiring
• Fines for paying below the National Minimum Wage

Read April's bulletin for information, such as:

• Changes to Statutory Maternity and Adoptive Pay
• What you need to know about the UK smoking ban
• Recent tribunal case involving guarded machinery

March's issue covered upcoming changes to the law and hot topics, including:

• Changes to the National Minimum Wage
• Information on current fire safety laws
• Information on harassment in the workplace
• Changes to the statutory minimum for paid holidays per year

The February bulletin looked at this month's notable employment tribunal cases and showed how we could have helped.

The January bulletin covered important changes to websites and email footers, and the smoking ban due to come into effect from early April.