Emergency Business Loans Manx Solidarity Fund Furlough
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www.business365iom.co.uk | M AY 2020 ISSUE EMERGENCY MANX SOLIDARITY FURLOUGH – BEWARE BUSINESS LOANS FUND LEGAL PITFALLS Conister Bank Limited’s emergency coronavirus Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors A local employment lawyer has cautioned employers business loans are now available, following a from across the local community, the Manx not to use the virus crisis as a convenient way of rapid response to the crisis. The independent Solidarity Fund has raised £167,000 so far. bypassing unfair dismissal laws. Head of employment bank announced it had set aside £10 million to However, a significant number of applications law at M&P Legal Advocate John Aycock has said that, provide loans to businesses negatively impacted are expected to be received in the coming days while the current circumstances are extraordinary, by the coronavirus and the cancellation of this and weeks. contractual duties and statutory obligations still apply to year’s TT races. the contract of employment. THE ISLE OF MAN’S ONLY DEDICATED BUSINESS MAGAZINE NEWS | COMMENT | INSIGHT | PEOPLE | MOVEMENTS | FEATURES | TECHNOLOGY | HEALTH WorkWork SmarterSmarter withwith VoIPVoIP Innovative On premise or cloud Digital alternatives options which future-proof to traditional your communications Smart phone lines Completely flexible and scalable as your business grows Simple Simplify your infrastructure and reduce network cost Solutions for all business sizes, on premise or in the cloud Small Business Mobile Workforce Call Centre Headquarters Contact Us business.sure.com WorkWork SmarterSmarter May MANX SOLIDARITY FUND GATHERS 6 MOMENTUM A comprehensive round-up of the latest business news with VoIP covering all sectors within the Isle of Man’s diverse and with VoIP IOM MEATS WORKING HARD TO MEET dynamic business environment. 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You can also log onto our dedicated website and express your opinion... STEERING A COURSE THROUGH THE CRISIS he Coronavirus crisis has no real parallels. We are in new should not come as a surprise. We are sailing uncharted waters and it territory on so many levels, and how the Island will emerge at would be naïve to think the huge raft of measures that had to be brought Tthe end of the epidemic is still unclear. It was encouraging to in at very short notice wouldn’t need adjustments along the way. hear that Treasury Minister, Alfred Cannan was exploring ways the A recent Chamber of Commerce survey highlighted the need to get aid to government might be able to seek borrowing powers. This must be the businesses as soon as possible. The Chamber said it was clear that many sensible course of action to ease the pressure on the Island’s finances, smaller businesses couldn’t wait for weeks of months for the help to arrive. given the record low interest rates available. Cash is king for small businesses who rely on a regular cash flow to There’s no doubt the pressures on local businesses are growing by the survive. The majority have limited or no reserves to fall back on. day. Some sectors have been able to adapt their working models to get Meanwhile the future of Loganair, the only airline currently operating them through the crisis, but for others, such as tourism and hospitality flights to and from the Isle of Man, has been thrown into doubt. The the options are limited. Scottish company has applied to the UK government for a bailout as A recent poll across the British offshore dependencies of the Isle of the drastic cut in services brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, Man, Jersey and Guernsey showed huge concern among employees has taken its toll. Staff have already been asked to take a 20 per cent with around half in fear of losing their livelihoods. Whilst the results salary cut and slash their working hours by a fifth. Alternatively they have of the Island Global Research study aren’t that surprising, they do been offered unpaid leave. Loganair provides services from the Island to serve to highlight the stresses the Covid 19 epidemic is placing on our London Heathrow, Manchester and Liverpool. community. These are difficult times, but the Manx Government’s finances are robust Not unlike the administration in the UK the Manx Government has had to enough to see us through. This is one case in which we can all rightly say, make ongoing adjustments to its financial aid packages. In fairness this we are in this together. ADVERTISING EDITORIAL Sales: Sarah Ashall Editor: Simon Richardson T: 01624 696556 T: 01624 696590 Business365iom E: [email protected] E: [email protected] The Business365 team is mainly working from home now because of the Coronavirus epidemic, but we will be keeping readers updated on news and information via our new website at www.business365.co.uk. For most of us, working from home is a new and slightly surreal experience. I will be sharing my thoughts on it via a daily blog. A comprehensive round-up of the latest business news covering all sectors within the Isle of Man’s diverse and dynamic business environment. ZURICH INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES WELLBEING TOOLKIT FOR ISLE OF MAN COMMUNITY Zurich International has launched a free online ‘Wellbeing Toolkit’ which off ers a wealth of he toolkit – available at Zurichinternational.com/wellbeing – information specifi cally designed to help Isle of contains lots of information to help everyone on the Island look after Ttheir own mental health and wellbeing, and to assist in supporting Man residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. their families, friends, and work colleagues. There are resources for Zurich International’s customers, plus practical advice for both employers and The toolkit is the latest initiative launched by Zurich International to help employees. The site is available to all and will be updated regularly. It the Isle of Man cope with the impact of COVID-19. Earlier this month the includes content from a number of registered local charities that work with company donated £30,000 to the Manx Solidarity Fund which was set up Zurich International, including Isle Listen and Cruse Bereavement Care in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Isle of Man. For those needing further advice or support, there are contact details for charities and Government services. Minister for Health and Social Care, David Ashford MHK, thanked Zurich International for its community initiatives during the Government’s media Peter Huber, CEO, Zurich International, said: “Throughout our history briefi ng on Thursday (April 16). Zurich International was chosen by the on the Island – which spans more than 30 years – we have always Minister as one of #HowardsHeroes – he referred to the Wellbeing Toolkit recognised the importance of supporting the community.