Coronavirus: Advice for employers and employees 

In case coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads more widely in the UK, employers should consider some simple steps to help protect the health and safety of staff.

It's good practice for employers to:

• Keep everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure in the workplace
• Make sure everyone's contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date
• Make sure managers know how to spot symptoms of coronavirus and are clear on any relevant processes, for example sickness reporting and sick pay, and procedures in case someone in the workplace develops the virus
• Make sure there are clean places to wash hands with hot water and soap, and encourage everyone to wash their hands regularly
• Provide hand sanitiser and tissues for staff, and encourage them to use them
• Consider if protective face masks might help for people working in particularly vulnerable situations
• Consider if any travel planned to affected areas is essential

Employers must not single anyone out. For example, they must not treat an employee differently because of their race or ethnicity.

Sick pay
The workplace's usual sick leave and pay entitlements apply if someone has coronavirus.
Employees should let their employer know as soon as possible if they're not able to go to work.

The employer might need to make allowances if their workplace sickness policy requires evidence from the employee. For example, the employee might not be able to get a sick note ('fit note') if they've been told to self-isolate for 14 days.

Find out more about self-isolating on GOV.UK.

If someone is not sick but cannot work because they're in self-isolation or quarantine

There's no legal ('statutory') right to pay if someone is not sick but cannot work because they:

• have been told by a medical expert to self-isolate
• have had to go into quarantine
• are abroad in an affected area and are not allowed to travel back to the UK

But it's good practice for their employer to treat it as sick leave and follow their usual sick pay policy or agree for the time to be taken as holiday. Otherwise there's a risk the employee will come to work because they want to get paid. They could then spread the virus, if they have it.

The employee must tell their employer as soon as possible if they cannot work. It's helpful to let the employer know the reason and how long they are likely to be off for.

If an employee is not sick but the employer tells them not to come to work
If an employee is not sick but their employer tells them not to come to work, they should get their usual pay. For example, if someone has returned from China or another affected area and their employer asks them not to come in.

If an employee needs time off work to look after someone

Employees are entitled to time off work to help someone who depends on them (a 'dependant') in an unexpected event or emergency. This would apply to situations to do with coronavirus. For example:

• if they have children they need to look after or arrange childcare for because their school has closed
• to help their child or another dependant if they're sick, or need to go into isolation or hospital

There's no statutory right to pay for this time off, but some employers might offer pay depending on the contract or workplace policy.
 
The amount of time off an employee takes to look after someone must be reasonable for the situation. For example, they might take 2 days off to start with, and if more time is needed, they can book holiday.

Coast to Capital seeking new chair

Coast to Capital is seeking an outstanding Chair to help lead the region and meet the ambitious vision set out in its strategic plan. Currently chaired by Tim Wates, who will be stepping down in July 2020, the Board brings together a diverse mix of regional business leaders alongside senior politicians and leaders from Universities and Further Education. The role will appeal to someone who is keen to make a difference and give something back at the same time as benefitting from an exciting opportunity to progress their own personal growth.  See the full job description here.  

SERiOUSilly Launch Party  

Date: Wednesday 1st April
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm 
Venue: The Cellar Arts Bar, Worthing BN11 3QB

Introducing the Art and Writing of C.M Good. There will be a complimentary glass of sparking on arrival and DJ Jeff King will be playing Novelty Songs and Risque Jazz. 

Come and learn the art of fermenting! Learn how to make your own kombucha, sauerkraut, kefir & kimchi and take home what you make!

Date: Sunday 15th March 
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm 
Venue: Cocks Kitchen, BN11 2EN 

Kombucha, Kefir, Sauerkraut, Ginger Beer, Kimchi, Sourdough. What do all these foods have in common? THEY ARE ALL FERMENTED! Fermented foods are incredibly beneficial for gut diversity, immune health and general well-being, they contribute to your 5 a day, contain no artificial preservatives, are not processed and are a natural way to increase the amount of healthy probiotics in your diet. And fermenting is easy so why not learn how to ferment yourself?

I started fermenting to alliviate the symptoms of Crohn's disease and for now I successfully manage my health through diet and lifestyle. I have been fermenting for over 8 years and I started my small fermenting business in Costa Rica called Jungle Goddess in 2014. I started running workshops last year and I provide ongoing support to all my students though a private facebook group.

This is a comprehensive workshop that will cover:

• An introduction to fermenting
• The history of fermenting
• Reasons why we ferment and the benefits of consuming fermented foods and drinks
• The impact of fermented foods on our microbiome
• Different types of fermenting and the science of how it works
• Essential and useful equipment
• The risks you need to be aware of and how to mitigate them
• Step by step processes to make all of the most popular fermented products:

• Try out a wide range of fermented foods in a working lunch
• Make your own vegetable ferment to take home

After the theory you will have the chance to have a go at fermenting yourself! Take home what you make and see the transformation that occurs!

Also included:

• PDF file of the workshop (60+ page document)
• Your choice of a kombucha SCOBY or water kefir grains to make at home
• Access to the Jungle Goddess Workshop Attendees Facebook group for ongoing support in your fermenting journey

Bring your own fermenting jar and lid or..........

Jars and fermenting weights will be available to purchase on the day.

Testimonials:

"Nikkie has the perfect combination of knowledge, experience and passion for the subject. She came very well prepared, giving a comprehensive overview on the benefits, fundamentales and goals of fermentation...then shared her in-depth and practical experience and gave us the opportunity to learn by doing! She is obviously passionate about what she does which makes the workshop even more enjoyable and educational. I highly recommend her workshops!" Christopher Wunderlich

"The fermentation workshop I took yesterday was outstanding! I am a true novice and Nikkie made the class understandable to me but clearly covered everything that those with more experience needed to know as well. She introduced theory but also we had great hands on experiences. And the food we were served for lunch was delicious! " Jana Stotler

It's time for Worthing...Unveiled: Borough's first ever brand 

For the first time in its history Worthing will have an exciting place brand campaign aimed at increasing inward investment into the borough.

‘ It is a game changer ,’ said chairwoman of the Town Centre Initiative, Diane Guest, ‘ It starts to position our home as the place we residents know it to be; forward-looking, with a quality of life to envy and, of course, with open arms to anyone who wants to come and join us .’

A consortium of organisations and individuals including the Town Centre Initiative, music pioneers AudioActive, Worthing Digital, Worthing Borough Council, Proto Restaurant Group and others have come together to develop the new place brand. Worthing company Warren Creative is responsible for the concept.

Worthing Borough Council has committed to backing Time For Worthing with officer time devoted to spreading the word and following up leads from people and businesses looking to invest in Worthing.

The Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Kevin Jenkins, said, ‘ This is a brilliant and confident brand reflecting a place that is increasingly confident. We know from other companies that have already come here like LCR at Union Place and BoKlok, with its home building plans, that they get a positive can-do attitude from us. People want to do business here to help us create jobs and prosperity.’

Time For Worthing was developed after extensive surveys of stakeholders and a series of discussion groups. Eventually two themes emerged. Worthing was both vibrant and together the participants insisted. In other words there was a growing sense of an enviable lifestyle to be had here and there was also a strong sense of community.

Founder of Warren Creative, Stuart Warren, said, ‘ When we got this brilliant feedback about Worthing we started to think about this duality, vibrant and together and how it would work visually. Then came Time For which obviously works on a number of levels. In one way it is saying it is our time but it is also speaking to the sense of the breathing space Worthing gives us with the sea, South Downs and all of the activities that offers us somewhere to escape the workplace and recharge our batteries .’

Today large advertising spaces have been taken at Victoria Station, Gatwick Airport, Brighton Station and Worthing Station with the Time For Worthing message. Two promotional videos have been created and lampposts throughout the borough have been adorned with Time For Worthing banners. In addition a new website timeforworthing.uk has been created to deal with enquiries and to explain the brand and how to use it. Window stickers with the brand mark, created in the shape of the borough boundary have also been created and it is hoped as many people as possible will display them. 

Cllr Jenkins said, ‘ We really want everyone in Worthing to embrace Time For. This is not a Council brand, it belongs to everyone and it will only be a success, bringing new opportunities to our borough, if everyone gets behind it.’

Congratulations to Gemini Print for achieving the top score in Europe to become the Winner of the international Kodak SONORA Plate GREEN LEAF AWARD.

Clients and partners are delighted to see further recognition that the leading printing firm in the region is continuing to keep the focus on ‘Think Green’ through every stage. 

Managing Director, Steve Cropper, said “with a team of more than 170 people it takes everyone to play their part in shifting habits.  ‘Think Green’ isn’t reserved for our extensive print manufacturing operation – branded merchandise, print finishing, direct mail, design, promotional products teams are now skilled at identifying new eco-positive solutions and processes.”

All businesses that are passionate about consistent improvements and developments in its environmental management policies and actions will recognise it is many different aspects of care and change that can impact improvements.  This breadth of impact was evident in the wide range of scoring criteria that detailed reviews of:

1.   Environmental Stewardship Commitment
2.   Regular Measurement of Environmental Performance
3.   Formal Accreditations, e.g. ISO14001 for Environmental Management
4.   Eco Labels
5.   Environmental Certifications
6.   Commitment to Energy Efficiency & Demonstration of Positive Impact
7.   Water Usage Reduction Actions & Results
8.   Recycling Achievements & Certification
9.   Recycling Schemes Participation
10.   Community Actions
11.   Journey Efficiencies & Fuel Policies
12.   Vegan/Vegetable Based Printing Inks
13.   Inline Ink Supply
14.   Sustainable Forests and Managed Paper Supply
15.   100% Record – Zero Environmental, Safety of Ethical Violations
16.   Launched ‘Say NO to PLASTICS’ Promo Options

In addition to the criteria above the use of Process Free Plates plays a key role in reducing environmental impact by cutting water, chemical and energy consumption.  Process free printing plates don’t need to be developed with a chemical developer before they go to press.  Also, due to the high-grade aluminium, the used plates are ideal for recycling.

While Gemini Print actions environmental improvements, the team also remains focused on providing excellent service for clients.  Clients need effective quality at every stage of print manufacturing, so the added benefit of removing the old variability of processing standards when creating printing plates ensures that “Gemini it Right First Time” is in action!

If you would like to talk about how Gemini Print can help you gain the ‘power of print’ please call 01273 086 206 or simply ‘chat’ on gemini-print.co.uk.

Government warned: North/South divide investment plan based on ‘false narrative’

The new government has been warned that it must not leave the South East behind as it seeks to ‘level up’ investment between the North and South.

The chairman of Greater Brighton, Cllr Daniel Humphreys, said a "false narrative" had been allowed to arise which suggested the south had been favoured when it came to government investment and projects.

He said: "We cannot let this story become an accepted part of government narrative. We are simply not flowing with cash. In fact we are actually not getting our fair share.

"Any investment plans must take in the needs of the entire country and acknowledge the importance of the contribution individual regions make to the entire economic wellbeing of the country.

"As Greater Brighton chairman I will make sure our case is put firmly to the new government. All we are asking for is fairness."

He was responding to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge to ‘level up’ opportunities across the UK and ensure the North is no longer the poor relation when it comes to spending on transport, industrial and digital infrastructure. 

But Cllr Humphreys said that spending on road and transport in the South East was already lagging behind. He added that 75 per cent of the grants to revive towns and cities under the government’s MyTown programme had gone to places in the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands despite the clear needs of communities in the Greater Brighton area.

Cllr Humphreys said: "We all know we have areas of deprivation and skills shortages here that need as urgently addressing as they do anywhere else in the country."

Cllr Humphreys told a meeting of the Greater Brighton Economic Board that the South East was home to 7.5 million people, a figure that will grow by 16 per cent in the next 25 years.

He said that at £200 billion per annum the region was the second-highest contributor to the economy after London and yet the amount of public spending per head, at £8,100, was the lowest in the UK. This was 10 per cent lower than the national average and 20 per cent lower than London.

He called on the government to back the £300m scheme to upgrade the Brighton main line to London near East Croydon. The bottleneck at Windmill Junction causes delay and knock-on delay across the network every time an incident occurs and it means there is no capacity to run more trains to meet future passenger growth, leading to overcrowding in the years ahead unless action is taken.

Global reduction in transport emissions driven by Greater Brighton business

Greater Brighton leaders have praised a local engineering firm Ricardo for driving forward the push to cut carbon emissions in transport across the globe.

Having been founded in Shoreham over a century ago by Sir Harry Ricardo, the company is a global, multi-industry, multi-discipline consultancy and niche manufacture of high performance products focused on maximising efficiency.

The company has 3,000 staff around the world, 700 of whom work from Shoreham Technical Centre the headquarters on the banks of the River Adur in West Sussex, 

Greater Brighton delegates had the chance to see this work during a tour of the global engineering, environmental and strategic consultancy firm earlier this month.

Delegates praised the company for investing in the area and creating skilled jobs, which are helping support the growth of the advanced engineering sector in the wider City Region.

Cllr Daniel Humphreys, who is chairman of Greater Brighton, said: "One of the big things that's stuck out from my visit to Ricardo is the really innovative work they are doing in driving forward the sustainability agenda.

“We are seeing some massive leaps forward in cleaner, more efficient use of energy going forward - and it’s in part due to the work being done on this site in the heart of Greater Brighton. How fantastic that the ideas and innovation to clean up the engines in the future that we'll be using to get around is being done here in the City Region.

“Companies like Ricardo make an enormous contribution to the local economy too with 700 people working here on this site, many in high-skilled jobs for people who live locally and who have been trained locally through our excellent further education and university

providers.”

Among the areas showcased during the visit was a new hybrid powertrain centre, which is part funded by Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership through Greater Brighton. Currently under construction, the funding has enabled the repurposing of an existing building which will be dedicated to testing battery technology essential for original equipment manufacturers who are developing future electric and hybrid vehicles. 

The tour also included a look around the Vehicle Emissions Research Centre, which is a world-class facility that is helping create the next-generation of clean, low carbon vehicles. The facility, which is open 24/7 and can be configured to work in a range of conditions, was supported by a £3.5 million grant from the UK Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

Ricardo is well known for its manufacturing of high-quality engineered products, from motorsports driveline systems to aerospace components. Engine production by Ricardo in recent years has served a total over 20 major automakers and engine suppliers, providing everything from prototypes through pre-production units, to niche volume series production of high-performance products. 

Dave Shemmans, Chief Executive Officer of Ricardo, said: “Ricardo has been on this site for over 100 years - it's where Harry Ricardo set up the business back in 1915 making engines for local fishermen. A century on, we are still designing advanced engineering products for cars, rail and aerospace, so we are very much keeping to the heritage of the business.

"A prime aim of our work is looking towards our net zero strategy and we think other companies, governments and local cities should be doing the same.

"Greater Brighton is a great place to do business. The infrastructure here is very good with good road and air networks. Clients obviously love visiting Brighton. It's a great place to be based."

Worthing Homes Job Opportunity: Head of Finance and IT 

Worthing Homes is an ambitious business with a social purpose. We have a long and strong track record of great customer service, performance and developing new homes.  

As a business we have a strong and sustainable financial model. Our new Head of Finance and IT needs to be comfortable working in a strong social values framework. You will have a senior track record in finance, as well an accounting qualification, but we are putting equal emphasis on your IT and people skills. Bringing enthusiasm and innovation, you will support and inspire the Finance, Procurement and IT teams to provide flexible and responsive services to the rest of the business.

As Head of Finance and IT at Worthing Homes you will be joining our Senior Leadership Team at an exciting time when our new corporate plan for 2020 to 2025 is launched.  The ideal candidate will work alongside the Senior Leadership Team to implement a digital vision, modern finance processes and be a capable, strong and innovative leader.  You will be a key player in helping to drive our digital agenda forward to deliver self-service for our customers and to enable our people to work more flexibly and efficiently.

Along with great professional finance skills and IT expertise, having a strong analytical skills and people management skills, you will bring inspiration, innovation and an open and encouraging approach!

Head of Finance and IT

Salary: Circa £60,000

Location: Worthing

Contract: Full time (37 hours per week), Permanent with flexible working

Why join us?

This is real opportunity to add value and make a difference

• Be part of our Senior Leadership Team where you can put your expertise, knowledge, skills and experience into practice and influence change

• You like working in a constantly changing and challenging environment

•30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, health care benefits and pension

• Flexible working patterns offered to support work life balance

Excited that this could be you?

For an informal discussion please contact Julian Pitcher – Resources Director on 01903 703 160.

For further information and to apply, visit: https://www.worthing-homes.org.uk/about-us/working-for-us-job-opportunities.  Please submit your CV and a cover letter via our website. Your cover letter should demonstrate how you meet the competencies from the Person requirements in the Role Profile. This is how your application will be assessed against the role requirements.

Closing Date:  Wednesday 4 March 2020 @ Noon

First interviews: 17/18 March         Second interviews: – 24 /25 March                                                                                   

We are an inclusive organisation and value each individual’s unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or social background.

Military charity receives generous donation from Armed Forces Covenant Fund

As part of its Positive Pathways initiative, which supports the mental health of Armed Forces veterans, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund has awarded Worthing-based charity, Care for Veterans, £70,000. 
 
Care for Veterans has received the funding towards a two-year project, ‘Sporting Chances for Disabled Veterans’, which will allow physically disabled veterans, many with brain injuries, to participate in more varied outdoor and sporting activities, such as abseiling, cycling, sailing and archery. The aim of the project is to provide new experiences for the residents of Care for Veterans, encourage feelings of self-achievement, reduce the risk of institutionalisation and improve well-being. Depression is a common consequence of brain injury and physical disability, and as a result, many veterans can become institutionalised and withdraw into themselves. 
 
As a facility, Care for Veterans tries to provide as many activities as possible, with a therapeutic focus which will enhance recovery for its residents, both physically and mentally, and this new project will help to expand on this even further. 

Participating in games or sports can have positive benefits for people with disabilities. As well as the health benefits of physical activity, such as lowering high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight and boosting the immune system, exercise through games or sports can also help you feel good, increase your self-confidence and provide an opportunity for social interaction and friendship. Each activity will be planned by the individual with specific therapeutic aims and delivered by the in-house occupational therapy team.
 
Senior Occupational Therapist at Care for Veterans, Debra Hall, said, “We are delighted to receive this funding to support our therapeutic work with the veterans. Outdoor and sporting activities are recognised as having multiple benefits to physical and mental health with the potential to promote an overall sense of wellbeing. This is no different for individuals who have significant physical disabilities but, for them, accessing and participating in such activities is not straightforward. This grant from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund will enable us to fully explore possibilities for our disabled veterans to engage in local outdoor and sporting activities, and to facilitate their participation in activities of interest. We are most grateful for this generous support.”