This week’s news in brief

Boss jailed over death
A company director has been jailed for a year following the death of an employee at his paper recycling business. Paul White was sentenced after one of his staff was killed while trying to clear a blockage in a paper shredding machine. An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive and the Norfolk constabulary found there was no safe system of working in place to do such a job.
www.personneltoday.com/31613.article

Magistrates wanted
An advertising campaign to encourage employers to give staff time off to serve as magistrates has been launched. It highlights the benefits that magistrates can bring to the workplace, such as decision-making and communications skills. Secretary of state for constitutional affairs, Lord Falconer, said it was important to get magistrates from all backgrounds to represent the community they served.
www.personneltoday.com/31614.article

Fat-cats get fatter
The UK’s top business executives are now enjoying annual bonuses equal to 100% of their salary, according to research by Deloitte. The survey also found that executive salaries have risen by 6.5% this year, compared to 2004’s 7.1% rise. A total of 82% firms are now connecting bonuses to the company’s performance, compared to 64% back in 2003.
www.deloitte.co.uk

Unions optimistic
Unions representing redundant MG Rover employees said they were optimistic about production resuming at the Longbridge plant, after a meeting with new owners Nanjing Automotive Leaders. Amicus and the Transport & General Workers’ Union said the Chinese firm had committed to employing Rover workers. They anticipate the company will be assembling cars again at Longbridge next year.
www.amicustheunion.org