Is a south african hgv licence legal?
One of our drivers has a South African driving licence and wants to drive our HGV. He reckons he can drive it on his licence, but I do not. Who is right?
You are - his South African licence only allows him to drive a South African-registered HGV. Before driving your vehicle he must pass a UK HGV driving test.
It is possible for holders of an ordinary or HGV licence issued in any EU country, Gibraltar or Jersey to exchange it for a British licence within five years of taking up residence in the UK. It is also possible for the holder to drive on the strength of such a licence for up to a year.
Licences from other countries cannot be exchanged and the only way for holders of licences from many foreign countries to gain UK entitlement is to take a UK test, although light vehicles (those below 3.5 tonnes) can be driven on the strength of the appropriate foreign licence or international driving permit for up to one year. Licences from other countries cannot be exchanged in this way because their driving tests are not of the equivalent standard to the UK test.
Is there any advice I can give my staff on general fire safety?
If you are prevented from getting out because of flames, close the door nearest to the fire and use towels or sheets to block any gaps. This will help stop smoke spreading into the room.
If the room becomes smoky, go down to floor level - it's easier to breathe, because smoke rises.
Open the window, try to attract the attention of others who can alert the fire service. Wait for the fire service, they should arrive within minutes. With most premises, the fire alarm system will have raised the alarm, but confirm this. If you are in immediate danger, drop cushions or bedding to the ground to break your fall from the window. Get out feet first and lower yourself to the full length of your arms before dropping.
As head chef in a staff and directors' operation, I have noticed an increased demand for vegetarian food. I have had some experience with it, but now feel I am just repeating my ideas. Can you help?
Today's vegetarian food is heavily influenced by the Mediterranean invasion of ingredients and flavours. Try dishes such as bruschetta, a slice of good old country bread drizzled with olive oil and baked in the oven until crisp, then rubbed with a clove of garlic and topped with a variety of ingredients; or calzone, pizza folded when raw, sealed at the edges and baked.
Many chefs reinvent classical dishes. Tarte tatin is a good example - it is often redone today using red onions, mushrooms, courgettes, aubergines or peppers.
There are wonderful ingredients around - try stuffing puffball mushrooms or stir-frying them with spices. Squashes and pumpkins are great roasted and made into tarts, added to risottos, made into stews or on their own with a piquant sauce.
I have discovered that a former manager has set up his business half a mile from my premises. He is approaching my clients and undercutting my prices. He was made redundant and given a healthy pay-off. How can I stop him putting me out of business?
You do not state whether the terms of this manager's contract prohibit him disclosing confidential trade secrets or soliciting clients. This document must be checked as a matter of urgency.
It is advisable to insert an express clause prohibiting ex-employees from competing or soliciting business after the termination of employment. Such clauses are notoriously difficult to enforce and it is imperative that they are reasonable in terms of duration, scope and geographical restriction.
If there is no relevant clause, you are only protected by implied terms. After employment has ended, only trade secrets and confidential information may be protected from a former employee. For example, use of a customer list compiled after the employee's departure does not constitute a breach of duty to the employer.
Your former employee is able to conduct himself the way you describe unless you can rely upon express restraints or the implied terms above. If you can show a breach of these terms you could seek an injunction to prevent the situation worsening and also claim damages for loss suffered.
