If you are an employer or an employee in the UK who has had to deal with a dispute at work in the last few years, you'll be pleased to know that the statutory disciplinary and dismissal procedure has been replaced. The DDP was introduced to standardise the way in which disputes were handled, and, laughably, to protect employee rights. What it managed to achieve was a formalisation of issues between staff and bosses that turned many conversations into an adversarial process whose only result was to lower morale and put staff in fear of their jobs.

Clyde & Co has extended its Middle Eastern presence via an affiliation with the Law Office of Abdulaziz A. Al-Bosaily in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

HANDS up if this is one of those things that you're never quite sure about?

TEMP WORKERS VAT STATUTORY HOLIDAY ALLOWANCE UK-BASED SEAFARERS SERVING ON FOREIGN FLAGGED VESSELS

PROBABLY the question we're asked most is: “What's the market like at the moment?” Of course, there are several answers to this question. The two answers that can be given across the board are: First, that in the majority of companies, hiring decisions are being made at more senior levels and they are naturally being much more cautious than they were a year ago. Secondly, people with jobs are aware that they are the lucky ones, which is producing a “loyalty factor” we haven't seen for some time

Will we ever solve maritime skills shortages? TRUTHFULLY? Probably not. We talk a lot about them but when push comes to shove very few people seem to believe we're achieving much. It's all about long term investment of course – both employer cash and Y-generation employee being willing to put down his or her i-Phone long enough join the industry in the first place and then stay the course as they rise up the ranks both at sea and ashore.

The Sailors' Society is looking for teams of 11 to take part in the Dragon Boat Challenge 2009, sponsored by Cargill, Rightship and Intertanko. This is a fantastic day and can be used as a team building day for your company, satisfying CSR responsibilities.