Dear Members and Colleagues,
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) replaces the TWSS from 1st September. Businesses are expected to monitor their financial performance on a monthly basis, and to withdraw from the scheme if their business does not experience a 30% decline in turnover or orders between 1st July and 31st December 2020. This is a very different scheme to the TWSS, so we recommend you register for our Live Q&A session which takes place on Monday 7th at 10:00am, I’m told there are limited spaces remaining so don’t delay in registering. We are delighted to see that our pressure on the issue of proprietary directors has yielded results, and they will qualify for the EWSS payment.
In other news it looks like we are making some progress on our efforts to get an ‘examinership lite’ system introduced. This would make examinership affordable for an SME which could be restructured. It is inevitable given the pandemic that many businesses will become insolvent, but at least some of them will be saved if we can make this happen.
Our virtual ‘Pitch My Business’ events have been a great success since introduction. If you haven’t done one yet, you need to book soon! I’m delighted to say that Minister of State Robert Troy will open our next one on September 16th. Details are here.
This week we launched our fourth COVID survey of the year. Running these has been extremely helpful with our lobbying so thank you to everyone who has taken part. We would now ask you to complete and share the latest version here.
ISME Skillnet have two upcoming free webinars. Do take advantage of these while we can make them available at no charge.
- Build Your Career and Your Profile on LinkedIn– 9th September
- Grow Your Business with LinkedIn– 15th September
- ISME Skillnet has also launched a Business Growth Programme. For a minimal fee, you will work with two acclaimed ISME who will, over 12 x 1.5 hour online sessions, guide you to invest in your personal and professional journey so you are best placed to succeed.
This week our HR Advisor updated our template Parental Leave Policy. The updated template reflects the change in entitlement brought about by the Parental Leave Amendment Act. As and from September 1st 2020 the entitlement increases from 22 – 26 weeks. Members can download the template here.
Cait also updated our COVID-19 FAQs this week with two new sections, COVID-19 in the workplace and Workplace Inspections. You can take a look here.
We know that now is the hardest time in the pandemic for many of you: business returning at reduced levels, suppliers looking to get paid, little money in the account, and poor (or no) Government support available. Don’t suffer in silence, call a friend, or call us here in the ISME office. There is always someone to talk to. If you haven’t considered it yet, have a look at the ISME Wellness Program from Laya, which has a 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme Employee Assistance Program. You are not alone.
Thank you
