SUMMER 2023 KEEPING IT LEGAL Relevant staff training will help your business stay on the right side of the law Recruiting and retaining staff is an ongoing and significant challenge for many firms not only in terms of having enough of the right employees to do business, but also in terms of protecting your trading compliance. Minimum standards of training must be provided for new and existing staff, and you can identify and prioritise relevant training by considering areas of your business where staff are likely to have the greatest impact on legal compliance. Think of training as your insurance policy a way to satisfy yourself that your staff have the knowledge and skills to carry out their role effectively This principle applies across all trade sectors, but some higher-risk examples include: n Food trading: ensure all staff know how to handle food safely and hygienically, and that they understand the risks presented by allergens. n Selling age-restricted products: ensure staff understand what age limits apply to the products being sold and what steps must be taken to verify the buyers age. n Selling goods by weighing or measuring: ensure staff understand what equipment can be used, how to operate and maintain equipment correctly, and how to communicate weights and measures to the customer accurately. n Health and safety: focus on preventing accidents and ill health in the workplace. Think of training as your insurance policy a way to satisfy yourself that your staff have the knowledge and skills to carry out their role effectively to keep you and your business safe and legal. Review and refresh your training to address changes in procedures or as a reminder to staff who have been in post for some time. Recording training will demonstrate your commitment to trading legally should this be challenged after a staff error. For more general tips on consumer law, go to the Business Companion website and put training in the search field, or read the guidance most relevant to your sector. Credits: Sarah Noonan, Trading Standards officer and Frances Darling, head of business and consumer protection; Karen Woolley, development manager, Federation of Small Businesses Image: Shutterstock / radoma Summer is traditionally a busy time for sectors such as hospitality and retail, but increased footfall also raises the possibility of shoplifting and theft from your business. This can be compounded by seasonal workers not being familiar with your procedures and processes, so now might be the time to look at steps you can take to protect your business. This includes training for seasonal workers. Consider signing up to an online training platform, if you havent already, so new staff can take relevant modules in, for example, health and safety or cyber security. It is also worth viewing your business and premises as you think a potential criminal might, looking for any weaknesses that could be exploited. For more information on what these weaknesses could be and how to strengthen your businesss security, see TSBN Winter 2022. Anonymous Hotline For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.