London Buzz

Sharing an office with another person can be difficult. Having a colleague in close quarters with you when you are trying to work can be advantageous or completely unbearable.

In most offices there is a distinct lack of kitchen etiquette: people leaving dirty dishes in the sink or crumbs/leftover food all over the kitchen counters. Many office workers either forget or ignore the rulers of the office kitchen even though most of the rules simply stem from common sense and consideration for others.

When using the office kitchen there are simple and seemingly obvious general rules that should be followed.

Once you have been called to a face to face interview, it is important to take the time to prepare correctly. Today’s business world is very competitive, especially in London, and there are bound to be quite a few other candidates that have the same or similar qualifications going after the job.

It is important to make yourself stand out and a good way to do that is to practice exactly how you will sell yourself to your prospective employer. The first meeting is crucial, and therefore it is essential to be at your best and fully prepared.

When choosing how to decorate your office it is important to choose art and décor that speaks positively about the environment of the office and sends the right message to both employees and clients.

It can be difficult to choose the right colours, wall hangings or sculptures that not only fit in with the corporate culture but also adhere to a sense of professionalism and will help to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for clients. You and your employees also spend a large amount of time in the office so it should be an interesting and motivating place.

The Chinese and millions of other people in the world believe that their lives are affected by natural forces. Feng Shui is an alternative way of positioning the items and furniture in your home, office or even on your desk that improves the harmony of the environment.

What are employee rights in regards to office relocation? How does it affect them/their families? Is it against their contract to be expected to relocate to a new city? Does the company have to pay relocation costs/help find new accommodation?

Your relationships with your co-workers are important. Good working relationships can help you to do your job better, enjoy your work more and help you along in your career. Here are eight simple steps that you can try to help you along the road to better office relationships.

Many people rely on their first impressions in their overall opinion about you. Your first few days at a new job can considerably impact on how you are evaluated by your boss and co-workers in the future.

You’ve got a great product, fantastic idea or provide an important service. Now you need office space or need to relocate your office to bigger, better premises. What are the different types of office space out there? And what would suit your business’s needs? Location is of course extremely important to businesses in the public eye, but there are also other things to consider including how much time you have. Do you want to just sign a contract and move right in without worrying about sorting out reception staff, communications systems or office cleaning.

Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in the United Kingdom for employees over 22 years of age is £5.52 per hour (as of 2008).

Sick Pay
The amount of sick pay you receive varies according to your contract. Your employer can offer you any amount of sick pay as long as it is above the minimum statutory amount. If your contract does not cover sick pay you should still be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay, which is £72.55 a week (as of 2008). Statutory Sick Pay is only paid after the third day off sick, so from the fourth day of illness.