News & Insights

Building a good reputation as an employer

The growing skills shortage in the UK workforce, particularly within the construction industry, has become a significant management concern for many employers. As a result, both small businesses and larger organisations are competing to

Everything you need to know about the upcoming tax return deadline

As the self assessment tax return deadline for 2019 is looming, you may have some questions about what this all means, how and if it affects you at all. The subject of taxes can be a daunting and confusing one

What to ask your employer before accepting a job

When looking for work, it can be tempting to accept a job offer straight away. However, try not to get ahead of yourself! You may want to clarify a few things with your employer before agreeing to take on a job.

How dangerous is farming?

Charlotte Smith covered a campaign on the need to improve farm safety back in the late 90s, and yet yesterday she returned to cover the topic again on BBC Radio 4. Since then, actions have been taken to improve farm safety but the statistics aren’t changing. Farming is still the most dangerous job going. And we were reminded of that by the recent fatality of Broughshane farmer, James Gibson.

https://app.grafternow.com/#/signupApplying for CSCS cards

As discussed in our CSCS scheme blog, CSCS cards are a great way for grafters to prove to employers that they have the correct training, qualifications and experience for the job in question. Possession of a CSCS card increases the number of jobs you can apply for. Some job postings may require applicants to hold a certain type of CSCS card before they can even be considered.

Sole traders – do you need help with your self employed tax return ?

As a sole trader, legally you and your business are one and the same. Acting as the exclusive owner of the business, you’re entitled to keep all profits after tax has been paid. The downside is this means that you’re also liable for any losses and failure to comply with UK tax regulations. 

Rates of pay for labourers in London

It’s important that your jobs are listed with a wage that reflects the appropriate rate of pay for the profession in question. You should also take into account other factors such as location, experience and any further qualifications that the desired applicant needs to have.

Mental health in the construction industry

You may be aware of the current drive to support those who suffer from mental illness across the UK but the reality about how common it is, is shocking.

Every two hours, someone in England and Wales takes their own life. Mind, a mental health charity operating across England and Wales, have revealed this upsetting statistic as part of their Christmas appeal.

Overtake the rest: advanced driving courses

Congratulations! You’ve passed your driving test. Unfortunately for you though – in this day and age, professional drivers need a bit more than their test certificate to stand out amongst the crowd. Passing your test certainly isn’t going to make you a driving expert (as we know by some of the poor practice encountered on the roads!). 

Getting women into construction

It’s no secret that construction is not the most female-friendly industry. According to statistics, only 11% of the entire construction workforce are women. Furthermore, a mere 1% of onsite construction workers are women. These numbers are really shocking, and we want to get to the bottom of why there are so few women in our grafter community and in the construction industry as a whole. This gender imbalance in the sector really stands out, and needs to be addressed. How can we get more women in construction?