|
Payslips, start dates, politics and social media
Rain, rain, go away!
Given the choice, what would you end sooner? Near continuous media chatter about the general election or the wet weather?
It’s a difficult choice. Sadly, for the next few weeks at least, there’s no chance either of those things will end.
So, as they say, it’s better to go with the flow, so in this edition of Watts On, we do include politics – but there’s a good reason for it. Read on for more.
|
|
Changes to the way we receive our payslips
Our communications chief, Andy Carter, sent an email about this last week but just in case you’ve not seen it, or not actioned it yet, here’s a gentle nudge.
The company that provides our payslips, UHY Ross Brooke, is upgrading to a new payroll system. It will be switched on next month.
The current site, where we view and can download our regular payslips and documents such as the annual P60 tax summary, will stop working on 24th July.
Information stored on the current system will not be migrated to the new one.
This means you need to log in to the current site by 24 July and download copies of all documents available. We know there are a handful of colleagues who’ve never logged in or never downloaded any payslips.
We strongly recommend you get hold of – and retain - a copy of your P60 at the very least because this is an official 'receipt' for the tax and national insurance you pay.
You cannot get a second copy of a P60.
There is no further action to take once you've downloaded any documents you need from the site. Next month, we’ll tell you about the new system and how to access it.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, or you need help logging in to the UHY Ross Brooke site, please contact our brilliant colleagues in HR.
|
|
|
Start date for new directors confirmed |
|
|
L-R: Chiara Lorenzetti and Gemma Gregory
You’ll recall – unless you are a really new member of Team Salix – that two weeks ago, we told you about the appointment of two new directors.
We’re pleased to provide an update on when Chiara and Gemma will formally take up their posts.
Chiara will officially start as director of transformation and excellence on 15 July.
Her first task will be to create our new project management and procurement functions from 15 July, although initial preparations and discussions are already underway.
Meanwhile, director of organisational design and people, Gemma Gregory will start her new job with us on 27 August.
Gemma will be based in Manchester and Chiara will continue to work out of London.
|
|
A new social media policy
In the great scheme of things, it hasn’t been with us for long, but social media has transformed the way we communicate and see what our friends had for tea.
As a business, social media helps us tell the world about the work we do, celebrate our successes and engage stakeholders.
From a personal point of view, it means we can stay connected with friends and former colleagues and excite them about our latest holiday abroad.
Like most things in life, there needs to be ground rules and social media is no exception.
That’s why we’ve updated our social media policy and added it to SharePoint.
When you have a few minutes, please take the time to read it.
|
|
|
What the parties say about climate change
We’re three weeks into the general election campaign and the three main political parties have published their manifestos.
With massive thanks to the awesome Joe Hayman who has read each one, we present a summary of how the parties propose to tackle climate change.
 You can read the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour manifestos in full on the parties’ websites.
If you're entitled to, we encourage you to take part in the general election and have your say on who should run the country. If you need to register to vote, time is ticking because the deadline is 11.59pm tonight (18 June).
|
|
Let’s face it, when you’re young, a pension is something you’re not that interested in.
You probably think it’s for time or the age when you start watching repeats of ‘Heartbeat’ on ITV 3 and a bath with a door in the side seems to be a good idea.
The reality is that pensions are a good way of saving for the time when you decide work is a distraction from doing the stuff that you really want to do.
If nothing else, they are a good way of keeping your money away from the taxman.
Most people are entitled to a state pension but it’s not something you’re given automatically.
To help us better understand the state pension and to answer questions, our company pension provider, Royal London is putting on a special webinar.
It will be hosted by financial experts Clare Moffat and Sarah Pennells.
The online session takes place this Thursday (20 June) from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
You’ll need to register to attend but it’s completely free.
|
Step challenge winners
It's time to announce the winners of our Step Challenge competition.
As promised in previous editions of our amazing newsletter this round came with prizes and we're happy to announce that each winner will receive a £20 Amazon gift card.
On an individual level, a special round of applause goes to Renata Sangster for being the top stepper, having taken an incredible 522,621 steps in the course of a month. Congratulations on such a remarkable achievement!
The winning team, the Red Hot Chilli Steppers, achieved an impressive milestone by collecting 2,034,528 steps. Full disclosure, they had two extraordinary contributions of their standout members, Ally O'Donnell and Sonia Ettetuani, who together amassed a staggering 909,869 steps. Huge congratulations to both for their exceptional efforts.
Our editor-in-chief would like to apologise to the amazing team captains Bianca Duca, India Bowles, Ellen Wingrove, Anjali Ghedia, Lewis Towell, Simon Pettet, Nina Clark and Renata Sangster, who were missed off their team members' list in last week’s Watts On.
We’d like to acknowledge they all wore their fair share of shoe leather helping their teams go the extra mile.
Well done steppers!
|
|
|
Welcome Matthew
Matthew Jones, project support officer, joins ‘Team Salix’.
I have been working primarily in the housing sector for the past fifteen years, most extensively with tenant-led housing co-operatives but I have also spent time working for a student accommodation provider and housing associations around Merseyside.
I live in The Wirral and enjoy going for regular bicycle rides around the local coast and countryside, as well as being a keen hiker and I love taking trips to Wales and the Lake District on my motorbike. I also really enjoy writing and recording music.
|
by Ahmed Ali
Muslims around the world recently celebrated Eid al-Adha, which follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligatory act for all Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime if they are physically capable and can afford to do so.
The event is celebrated by Muslims worldwide and falls a day after the completion of Hajj, on the tenth day in the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Celebrations last for three days.
Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Adha by going to the mosque or congregating in open areas for prayers early in the morning.
Prior to the prayer, Muslims are encouraged to give to charity. It is often a time for family and friends to celebrate by dressing up in smart clothes, enjoying delicious food and exchanging presents such as money, which is given to children, immediate relatives and loved ones.
Eid-al-Adha is an important day for all Muslims around the world. Although it’s a joyous occasion, it is also important to remember those who are going through hardships around the world and is a day where we are encouraged to give to charity and be kind to one another.
Eid Mubarak to all who are celebrating!
|
World Refugee Day (20 June) the struggles, resilience, and strength of millions of refugees worldwide is recognised.
Displaced by famine, conflict, and persecution, they seek safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.
The day highlights the courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable difficulties and raises awareness of the plight many people face around the world.
You can find out more about World Refugee Day, and watch a series of short films, on the United Nations UNHCR website.
|
|
|
Tell us your thoughts
The next issue of Watts On will be out on Tuesday 25 June. If you have a story for us, please click or tap the link below to let us know.
|
|
|
|
|
