New Role: Public Affairs Client Manager / Brown O'Connor Communications

Position: CLIENT MANAGER (PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

Experience: Min 3+ years

Area: Public Affairs & Strategic Communications

Salary: £Excellent  - Available on Request

Based: Adelaide Street, Belfast City Centre 

About Brown O’Connor Communications

Brown O’Connor Communications is one of Ireland’s most trusted and respected communications advisory firms.

Specialist in Public Affairs, Corporate Media Relations, Issues Management & Crisis Communications, the agency was awarded the CIPR Best Public Affairs Campaign 2022/2023 and was named the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Consultancy of the Year (Small) 2021/2022.

We have a track record for managing and delivering complex public affairs programmes for some of the UK and Ireland’s leading businesses, professional services, charities, trade bodies, interest groups and public-sector organisations.

We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, government ministers and corporate decision makers. 

We are trusted advisors based on our:

• Extensive experience working for high-profile, public facing organisations and delivering our services on a range of sensitive issues.

• Credibility through the people who make up our team and the approach they take.

• Clients who provide endorsement on the reliability and professionalism of our work.

Our Location

Our central office is based in Belfast City Centre managing clients based in Northern Ireland, London, Dublin and the US.

Our Specialist Areas

We are highly regarded for our specialist Public Affairs and Corporate and Strategic Communications services which includes Crisis Communications, Property and Planning Communications, Litigation Communications, Event Management, Political Monitoring and Communication Strategy Development. 

Our Clients

Our consultants work across a range of areas including legal, commercial, financial, financial technology, industrial, manufacturing, public inquiries, regulators, commissions, non-departmental public bodies and the third sector.

Our Approach and Company Culture

The success of Brown O’Connor Communications is based on the performance of its people.

Our rigorous approach delivers positive outcomes for our clients, and we go out of our way to ensure success.

We deliver excellence in all that we do and our team is accountable and responsible for all activity they undertake.

What we offer

22 Days Annual Leave and 11 Public Holidays

Flexible working 1 day per week (Friday)

Paid Annual CIPR Membership

An exciting and dynamic working environment in a city centre-based office

Training opportunities

Mobile Phone allowance

Regular team social events

The Person

Brown O’Connor Communications is seeking a talented and ambitious Client Manager (Public Affairs) to join the team.

This is an exciting and demanding role within a leading consultancy and requires a resilient individual with demonstrable client management and leadership ability.

You may be already working in public affairs or corporate communications in an agency; as an in-house communications manager; in politics; or as journalist.

You will have a deep professional interest in business, the media and politics and have a detailed understanding of the role that media relations, public affairs, and stakeholder relations plays.

Role Specification

Strategic Counsel

Proven client handling skills with experience in managing large accounts, providing proactive strategic advice.

Ability to manage a high level of client interaction and be able to design and implement strategies.

Day to Day Delivery

Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment.

Create and manage lobbying campaigns securing policy change, legislative change and the smooth running of political engagement programmes.

Oversee the delivery of the Brown O’Connor Communications political monitoring services.

Manage and lead the forward work programmes of All-Party Group at the NI Assembly.

Devise and manage pre-application community consultations for important planning applications.

Write strong editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs and ensure coverage across a range of media outlets.

Manage an entire range of suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.

Manage public awareness campaigns integrating various methods to create significant public interest.

Be able to create engaging social media content across multiple platforms.

Forward plan to ensure smooth running of client campaigns on time, and within budget.

New Business Development

Take a leading role in new business development and organic growth opportunities alongside company directors and be comfortable in pitching and proposal development.

Supporting successful tender writing from start to submission.

Experience in identifying and converting new business opportunities.

People Management

Line management duties with wider members of team.

Understanding the requirement to work with efficiency and profitably.

Manage team members on client accounts to ensure work is carried out successfully and within allocated budgets.

Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.

Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.

Criteria

3+ years working in the areas of Public Affairs and/or Corporate/Strategic Communications or within a communications environment (Agency experience preferred).

Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities.  

Possess strong writing and editing skills with ability to write attention-grabbing media material, client correspondence and reports.

An excellent communicator both written and oral.

Commercially and politically aware.

Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.

Strong initiative, leadership skills and work ethic.

Ability to hustle to make things happen.

Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity. 

Clean driving licence and access to a car is a must due to client requirements.

Desirable Criteria

Experience in working in a similar role in the Republic of Ireland.

How to Apply

To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV, covering email and the completed response to the set question below, by email, to Brown O’Connor Communications at hello@brownoconnor.com by 5pm Monday 23rd October 2023.

QUESTION: Please outline, with examples, how you meet the Criteria as outlined in the Job Specification (Word Limit 300).

Please state your name and ‘CM Public Affairs’ in the subject line.

Application Process

Initial shortlisting

Two stage interview

Business Services team grows at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

L-R: Payroll Administrator at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Emma Scott, Business Services Partner Stephen McConnell, and Trainee Accountant James Malee.

Belfast accountancy and advisory practice Baker Tilly Mooney Moore has expanded its Business Services department, welcoming Emma Scott and James Malee to the team.

Emma joins the department as Payroll Administrator, while James takes on the position of Trainee Accountant.

Servicing companies across sectors including retail, hospitality, construction and engineering, the firm’s Business Services department operates a full accounting, bookkeeping and payroll processing function.

Emma brings experience to the role of Payroll Administrator, having worked at another mid-tier accountancy firm and as a payroll specialist in the local food processing industry.

Having recently moved to Northern Ireland, James joins the team after holding the position of Accounts Assistant at a practice in Liverpool, where he also studied Accounting and Finance at Liverpool Hope University.

Business Services is one of Baker Tilly Mooney Moore’s specialised areas which also cover Audit & Assurance, Taxation, Restructuring & Insolvency and Consulting.

Stephen McConnell, Business Services Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:

“We are pleased to welcome Emma and James to the team. We are a busy and growing department that has the privilege of working with companies of all sizes in Northern Ireland, visiting their premises or working from our offices to operate their accounting function so they don’t have to. With experience in accounting and payroll administration at other leading accounting practices, James and Emma’s knowledge and expertise will enhance and add value to this service.”

Emma Scott, Payroll Administrator at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:

“I am thrilled to join the Business Services team at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. Having spent my initial weeks getting to know the client base, I am looking forward to supporting our specialist team and the wide range of businesses we work with.”

James Malee, Trainee Accountant at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:

“It is fantastic to join the Baker Tilly Mooney Moore team and to support clients in areas such as retail, hospitality, and engineering. It is a varied and fast paced role that I have no doubt will be highly rewarding, allowing me to build on my professional experience. The team were sure to give me a warm welcome following my move from Liverpool, and I know I will receive excellent support going forward.”

Alliance Party Reshuffle

The Alliance Party has reshuffled its frontbench Assembly team. Announcing the new spokespeople, which include changes to the portfolios of Education & Justice, the party signaled that the move is in anticipation of its return to the Assembly. “We’re ready to get back into the Assembly Chamber and deliver real change to people’s lives,” the party said.

The party’s leadership and spokesperson roles are as follows:

Leadership:

Leader – Naomi Long MLA

Deputy Leader – Stephen Farry MP

Chief Whip / Reform & Restoration of GFA Institutions – Andrew Muir MLA

Party Chair – Councillor Stephen Donnelly

Party President – David Alderdice

Spokespeople:

Agriculture – John Blair MLA

Communities / Housing / Local Government – Kellie Armstrong MLA

Economic Growth & Skills / European Issues – Sorcha Eastwood MLA

Education – Nick Mathison MLA

Finance – Eóin Tennyson MLA

Deputy Whip for the Assembly / Health Transformation & Patient Access – Paula Bradshaw MLA

Justice / Social Enterprise – Stewart Dickson MLA

Deputy Whip for Local Government / Policing – Nuala McAllister MLA

Violence Against Women & Girls / Domestic & Sexual Violence / Hate Crime – Connie Egan MLA

Anti-Poverty & Social Inclusion / Animal Welfare – Patrick Brown MLA

Early Years & Childcare / Migration & International Relations / Human Rights – Kate Nicholl MLA

Climate Change & Energy / Health Workforce – Danny Donnelly MLA

Infrastructure & Development – Peter McReynolds MLA

Rural Development / Young People / Arts – Sian Mulholland MLA

Transportation / Sport & Community Development – David Honeyford MLA

OutForm Consulting to host accredited Lean Competency System training event for manufacturing, infrastructure and utilities professionals

Business transformation consultancy OutForm Consulting is to host a Lean Competency System (LCS) learning event for professionals in the manufacturing, infrastructure, and utilities industries.

Free of charge and open to first line decision makers and project managers in related fields, the training event will take place at The MAC, Belfast on Tuesday 26 September from 12pm – 5.30pm.

Participants who attend and complete the one-day LCS course will receive a Lean certification from Cardiff University and will leave with an understanding of the fundamental ideas and concepts of the framework.

LCS is a globally recognised Lean qualification introduced in 2005 by the Lean Enterprise Research Centre (LERC) at Cardiff University. It has since been adopted by private and public sectors in the UK and internationally.

A leading methodology in the areas of manufacturing, infrastructure and utilities, Lean is about boosting performance, reducing costs, improving employee experience, and delivering better service to customers. Adopted globally, the framework supports businesses to stay viable in volatile, uncertain, and complex markets.

A consultancy that partners with complex organisations in the energy, utilities, construction services and transport spaces to address infrastructure, environmental and regulatory challenges, OutForm places the Lean competency at the core of its problem solving and solutions capability.

The LCS 1a Course will cover the basic principles and conditions of continuous improvement, and how the Lean principles can improve company ways of working. A short drinks reception will follow the event.

Account Director, John Deehan said:

“LCS accreditation plays an important role in supporting lean implementation and in creating a continuous improvement culture, through structured training programmes, project delivery for new ways of working, and certification for employees providing recognition for their achievements. Modern organisations operate in rapidly changing markets and face a multitude of challenges, but Lean has been found to be particularly effective in achieving complex goals. We are pleased to offer this training opportunity out to wider industry professionals and look forward to supporting more organisations to implement tangible and sustainable change.”

OutForm Consulting Account Director, John Deehan

If you or your organisation would like to join OutForm Consulting’s LCS 1a Event, register your interest by emailing: ellen.wilson@outformconsulting.com. Spaces are limited due to exceptional demand.

Electoral Commission Report on 2023 Local Elections in Northern Ireland

This week the Electoral Commission published a report on their findings from the May 2023 local council elections in Northern Ireland. Moreover, they have outlined recommendations to further improve the validity and efficiency of future Northern Ireland elections.

Overall, people have positive views of the election:

·        A total of 1,380,372 people were registered to vote.

·        86% of people were satisfied with the process of registering to vote.

·        97% of voters were satisfied with the process of voting.

·        Four-in-five (80%) were confident that the elections were well-run.

·        Voter turnout up two percentage points to 54.7%.

Issues Identified:

·        Access to Digital Registration Numbers (DRN) - In this election 73% of rejected applications were due to DRN issues.

·        Support for disabled voters –  awareness of the support available was low.

·        Spending limits – candidates could not produce enough materials resulting in 38% of adults feeling they did not have access to information to make an informed decision.

·        Candidate Harassment – 50% of candidates had issues with threats and abuse.

·        Campaigning near polling stations – due to unclear guidelines electorate have noted “guidance to stay a distance from polling stations…is widely ignored by some parties.”

·        Shortage of electoral administrators – a growing number of recruits dropped out ahead of polling day.

The Electorate Commission’s recommendations are as follows:

1.     DRN requirements urgently need to be reviewed given its significant barrier to voting. Legislative change is only viable option to remedy this.

2.     Action needed to protect voter trust and confidence in the system through The Elections Act 2022 amendments and creating positive relationships between the PSNI and PSS to ensure instances of abuse towards candidates is limited. Additionally, the UK Government must review the spending limit of campaigns to ensure better connection with the electorate, enabling them to be fully informed prior to casting their vote.

3.     Review and update the Code of Conduct for canvassing in the vicinity of polling stations, setting out agreed standards on what is acceptable behaviour.

4.     Explore increase of resources and improvements within latter stages of the count process for more efficient and accurate results.

The UK Government should continue to work with the Northern Ireland electorate assessing how it can provide the time and resources to combat these issues effectively.

Cancer Focus NI and Dale Farm urge people to Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer Focus NI has unveiled details of its new Go Pink fundraising campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. The charity has also announced dairy co-operative Dale Farm as the official sponsor of the Go Pink campaign.

The campaign is being launched as projections from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) indicate that the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed in Norther Ireland each year will continue to rise.

Official figures from the NICR show that by 2025 the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland is expected to rise by 27 percent from the annual average in the years 2013 to 2017. For 2040, the projected figure shows a rise of 57 percent in breast cancer cases diagnosed from the 2013 to 2017 annual average.

122 women diagnosed each month

Currently, an average of 122 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each month in Northern Ireland. Through its Go Pink campaign, Cancer Focus NI is urging people to raise as much money as possible for its much-needed local breast cancer support services.

Pink Run

Other Go Pink events include the popular Pink Run at Titanic Slipways, Belfast. Taking place from 12 noon on Sunday 8 October, well-known Belfast fitness coach and influencer, Sarah McDonagh, from Strive Fitness will be sharing tips online to help people of all fitness levels enjoy the 5k and 10k distances, as well as conducting the warm-up sessions ahead of the race.

Styled by Rebecca

Fashion fans are also in for a treat as Rebecca McKinney will be donating a bespoke Go Pink collection and taking over the window of Cancer Focus NI’s retail store in Holywood, Co. Down. The popular stylist and broadcaster will also host a Styled by Rebecca sustainable fashion event on Wednesday 4 October in the Holywood store. Guests will receive advice on breast cancer awareness, enjoy a fashion showcase, have the opportunity to ‘swop and shop’, and savour a glass of pink lemonade and Dale Farm Ice Cream sweet treat on arrival.

MLA Check Your Chest event

On Monday 16 October, Cancer Focus NI is also inviting all local MLAs to a ‘Check your Chest’ event at Stormont.

Schools and workplaces are also being encouraged to get involved in the month-long fundraising and awareness campaign with support and fundraising packs on offer from the charity’s fundraising team.

As part of the Go Pink campaign, sponsors Dale Farm will also be offering several luxury prizes, including five Girls’ Night In giveaways consisting of a Dale Farm Go Pink Rapture Hamper, a selection of Rapture ice cream tubs and a limited Go Pink robe and luxury eye mask. Dale Farm has also curated a collection of Go Pink Rapture recipes for the ultimate ice-cream indulgence, ideal for Girls Night In gatherings or DIY Go Pink fundraising events.

Further information on all of the events and fundraising support on offer as part of Cancer Focus NI’s Go Pink campaign can be found online at cancerfocusni.org.  

Speaking ahead of the campaign, Maeve Colgan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Cancer Focus NI, said:

“Sadly, figures from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry tell us the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland looks set to continue to rise sharply in the coming years. Cancer Focus NI is absolutely delighted, therefore, to have the support of Dale Farm for our Go Pink campaign, as with their backing, we will be able to reach even more people across Northern Ireland this October.

“We are encouraging everyone to join in with our Go Pink campaign, in whatever way they can, in support of our breast cancer support services. Whether it’s having fun with friends at a Girls’ Night In, a coffee morning in your workplace, or an individual donation, you will be playing a vital part in enabling Cancer Focus NI to continue to deliver breast cancer support services such as counselling, bra and swimwear fitting, and support groups to local women and families”.

Claire Hale, Senior Brand Manager, Dale Farm, added:

“Our Dale Farm mission is all about sharing goodness in our local communities, therefore supporting Cancer Focus NI as part of our wider community partnership programme has brought us such pride. At Dale Farm we have a vast range of on-going activities and initiatives to help fundraise for this brilliant charity. We are delighted to continue to play our part by sponsoring the Cancer Focus NI Go Pink campaign. Breast Cancer affects so many people across Northern Ireland. We know the funds raised from this campaign will go a long way in helping Cancer Focus NI raise awareness, fund local breast cancer support services and continue to support families throughout Northern Ireland.’’

Also urging people to support the campaign is Cancer Focus NI client Angela Taylor from Banbridge, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and who now works as a volunteer with the charity. Angela said:

“It’s been a tough few years. I lost everything internally following an earlier hysterectomy, then I lost my hair, and then my breast. I’ve had so many feminine parts of me removed that I no longer feel like a woman. Sometimes I feel like a shell.

“Cancer Focus NI’s counselling service was there for me when I was in need, and it is comforting to know that they will be there for someone in a similar position that I was in. Thank you for supporting their work during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

Twenty-four political, business, and civic leaders selected for Fellowship Programme

Twenty-four leaders from politics, the business community and civic society across Northern Ireland gathered at Parliament Buildings today for the launch of the Fellowship Programme.

The Fellowship Programme is designed to enhance Fellows’ skills and expertise, with a focus on navigating complexities encountered in leadership in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Backed by some of the most successful businesses in Northern Ireland including Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks, and Ulster Carpets, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Irish American Partnership, the Fellowship Programme is delivered by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building in partnership distinguished academics and practitioners along with institutions, including Oxford University and the Royal Irish Academy.

Now in its third year, the six-month programme will see the Fellows undertake workshops, seminars and training in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Dublin and Oxford, which will include media training sessions in a newsroom environment, workshops on climate, energy and sustainability, as well as conflict management and negotiation skills. This year’s cohort of leaders will have the opportunity to engage with academic and business leaders, public figures and policymakers to learn how to tackle some of the most pressing social, political and economic issues in Northern Ireland.

Speakers at the announcement of the new Fellows included Head of the NI Civil Service, Jayne Brady, Fellowship alumna Diane Forsythe MLA, economist and author Michael O’Sullivan, as well as Ulster University Professor Karise Hutchinson.

John Healy, Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, said:

“The Fellowship Programme which runs each year is a unique opportunity to gather ambitious leaders from diverse backgrounds to develop their own leadership and spark new conversations for progress and innovation in Northern Ireland”.

“In the absence of a functioning government here, a programme like the Fellowship is vital for a time like this as it encourages leaders to have difficult conversations and overcome obstacles together. We need to invest in the game changing potential of our leaders and the Fellowship is a purposeful way of doing just that”.

“It is heartening to see more leaders come forward with a desire to engender change in Northern Ireland whether that be in the political, business or civic sphere, and I am looking forward to watching each Fellow develop and grow over the next six months”. 

Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, added:

“This is a programme that this fills me with great optimism for Northern Ireland’s future. Despite our current political stalemate, I am excited to watch this year’s cohort learn from each other’s unique experiences and work together to envisage and imagine solutions and progress for this place that we call home. The Fellowship is a prime opportunity to put our differences aside, form unlikely friendships, and recognise a greater agenda where we can all work towards a shared goal. I am proud to be supporting the launch of this year’s cohort alongside my esteemed colleagues on the Advisory Board”.

The 24 participants of the 2023 CDPB Fellowship programme include:

1. Cllr Rachel Ashe Councillor for Comber DEA (APNI), Ards and North Down Borough Council

2. Lisa Beers, Head of Social Value Unit, Strategic Investment Board

3. Cllr Cheryl Brownlee, Councillor for Carrick Castle DEA (DUP), Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

4. Jason Bunting, Parliamentary Advisor for Sinéad McLaughlin MLA (SDLP)

5. Cllr Sarah Bunting, Councillor for Balmoral DEA (DUP), Belfast City Council

6. Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Audit Office

7. Anne Clarke, Finance Business Partner, NIE Networks

8. Beverley Copeland Director, Organisation Development, Ulster Carpets

9. Gareth Edwards, Vice-President, FinTrU Ltd

10. Deborah Erskine MLA, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA (DUP)

11. Martin Fisher, Head of Northern Ireland, Irish League of Credit Unions

12. Chloe Ferguson, President, NUS-USI (National Union of Students UK in Northern Ireland)

13. Ciarán Fox, Director, Royal Society of Ulster Architects

14. Amy Gribbon, Project Manager, Forthspring Inter Community Group

15. Chris Leech, Community Transformation Coordinator, Emmanuel Church

16. Cllr Tierna Kelly Councillor for Rowallane DEA (APNI) Newry, Mourne & Down District Council

17. Martin McAuley, Director of Communications, Social Democratic and Labour Party

18. Christopher McConnell, Head of Programmes, Engagement & Impact, Department for Communities

19. Paula McKernan, Barrister-at-Law, The Bar of Northern Ireland

20. Adriana Morvaiova Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist, Sensata Technologies

21. Eileen Mullan, Chair, Southern Health and Social Care Trust

22. Áine Murphy MLA, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA (Sinn Féin)

23. Janet Schofield, CEO, CAN (Compass Advocacy Network Ltd)

24. Roísín Wood, CEO, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland

Kainos Bankmore Square development public consultation dates announced

A series of public events will take place later this month to seek views on the new development at Bankmore Square on the Dublin Road in Belfast. The proposed plans include the development of new headquarters for Kainos, alongside purpose-built, managed student accommodation for Queen’s University Belfast.

As part of a pre-application community consultation process, the plans for the new development will be on display to the public at the Clayton Hotel, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, on Monday 25th and Wednesday 27th September at 12 noon to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm on both days.

The consultation materials, images and plans for both projects can be accessed at www.bankmoresquare.com. This will provide everyone with an opportunity to access information about the proposal and provide feedback before any planning application is submitted.

The multimillion-pound development will support Kainos' ongoing expansion and help meet the need for specialist student accommodation in Belfast. The investment is expected to contribute significantly to the regeneration of the city’s Linen Quarter.

If approved, the development will comprise of 85,000 sq ft of Grade A office space with an additional 4,000 sq ft dedicated to ground floor commercial uses, and approximately 475 student rooms.

Full planning applications are expected to be submitted to Belfast City Council in November 2023.

Russell Sloan, incoming CEO of Kainos said:

“This new, contemporary development signals our continuing investment in Belfast. When complete, it will bring renewed character to both the Dublin Road and the Linen Quarter, and will provide significant benefits to businesses, organisations and services around us at Bankmore Square.”

“At the heart of this investment are our people, and our desire to create an exceptional and sustainable workplace for our colleagues to connect and collaborate. Our new office will provide modern office space for up to 1,600 people, creating the capacity for our planned growth in the future.”

Caroline Young, Vice-President of Students and Corporate Services at Queen’s added:

“Having a wide range of high quality, affordable and safe housing options, in close proximity to Queen’s, will ensure we can support the significant increase in demand for this type of student accommodation.”

“With an expected 3,000 more rooms needed in Belfast by 2028 to meet growing demand, this site is an excellent development opportunity which will offer around 475 students new accommodation in a prime location in the heart of the city. It will help to transform the area, while making a significant contribution to the economy and we are excited by the prospect of working with Kainos as we develop this site.”

Family-friendly employment policies compete with salary on candidate wish lists

By Brian Lenehan, HR Consultant at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore as first appeared in the Irish News 08 August 2023

Brian Lenehan, HR Consultant at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore.

Parental leave and family support policies have become a prominent part of talent attraction and retention, and highly competitive in terms of best practice. In 2019, 65% of workers surveyed said they prioritise work-life balance over pay and benefits. With plenty of choice out there for employees seeking a career move, remuneration is no longer the deciding factor on candidate wish lists.

In fact, family friendly employment policies are now up there with high salaries, attractive pension schemes and other flexible working policies. What’s more, they are an opportunity for organisations to promote gender equality by encouraging female participation in the workplace and enabling career progression. 

Today, there are more mothers in work in the UK than at any point in the last 20 years, and organisations are slowly realising that enhanced maternity and paternity leave, time off in lieu, and shared parental leave will both improve the health and wellbeing of their team and increase their productivity and employer value.

Both legislation and employer practice have evolved in this area in recent years as companies, accelerated by the competition for talent, the pandemic and technological advances, seek to transform their approach to flexible work.

Today’s workforces have valid expectations for family support policies, but what does good enough look like, and what is leading practice?

In 2019, Diageo introduced a parental leave policy for all 4,500 of its UK employees, offering both parents 26 weeks of fully paid leave and the option to take more at a reduced rate. Insurance company Aviva operates a similar policy, available equally to men and women in a bid to promote shared parental responsibility and eradicate career impediments for female staff.

Many others, including small businesses, will no doubt also be establishing policies that go beyond the statutory provisions. These policies are about building confidence across the workforce, avoiding mutual distrust between employer and employee around the topic of family planning, and attracting and retaining talented individuals who wish to build a career with the company over many years while also expanding their family.

As well as setting an organisation apart from the crowd, ensuring mothers and fathers have adequate paid leave for the birth of a child is a priority for economic development and achieving greater gender equality. Packages that support family life will not only encourage female labour force participation but can help nurture parent-child interactions and influence the healthy development of the child.

In contrast, on-call shifts, work hour volatility, and short notice of work schedules are associated with childcare difficulties and work-life conflicts, meaning both mothers and fathers on these schedules are likely to miss work.

There is no one size fits all approach, but a company culture that encourages openness on the topic is a good place to start. Companies must look internally at the demographic of their workforce and plan their policies accordingly if they wish to lower staff turnover and see long-term, meaningful return on the investments they make in training and development.

For some this might mean family support policies, while for an older workforce it may be pension and retirement focussed. Other factors critical for recruitment and retention include hybrid working, job design, and location of work.

In a continually evolving workplace, it is vital to be inclusive, flexible and people centric. Against a raging war for talent, a family friendly approach can be a valuable tool as the way employees are treated as they become parents will ultimately have a big impact on their loyalty and desire to stay with the organisation in the longer term.

Local investment & working practices hindered by cross-border tax disparities

By Julie Hamilton, Tax Manager at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore as first published in the Derry News

Julie Hamilton, Tax Manager at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

The pandemic put a spotlight on the taxation issues facing cross-border workers. Though not completely unique to the North West, the situation continues to impact the many people who travel across the border, in and out of Derry and Donegal, between their workplace and home each day.

When the world moved to working from home, cross-border workers found they were liable for double taxation and a host of other complicated obligations just for working from their spare room or kitchen table like their colleagues.

Three years on, the hybrid model remains as one of the lasting impacts of the pandemic, and so the problem has not gone away. Now, it makes it harder for local businesses who genuinely want to offer a flexible working approach to do so, and does nothing to attract investment into the North West.

Businesses in the area are seeking to lay new foundations for growth and take advantage of dual market access to the UK and EU following years of uncertainty over Brexit, but the realities of operating a payroll in two different jurisdictions with varying tax reliefs and completely different tax years is seen as far from ideal. 

Under current tax policy, an employee working in Northern Ireland for an Irish company or vice versa can be taxed in both states.

Transborder workers’ relief mitigates this in part for ROI residents working and paying tax in NI, but only if the work is carried out outside of the individual’s home country (for example in NI), meaning it is not available if they work from home in ROI.

In addition, a business which has employees working in another country needs to consider whether the overseas employees could have created a “Permanent Establishment” abroad, which would lead to additional tax liabilities for the employer.

Then you have the questions over where the individual pays social security, how their pension contributions are operated, and in which jurisdiction do they qualify for maternity pay or sick pay? Combined, these unanswered questions mean that in reality, being a flexible and accommodating employer and remaining competitive in today’s recruitment climate is not that easy at all, and neither is sending an employee to work overseas for even six months.

That said, modified payroll systems that operate across the two jurisdictions and consider their varying tax reliefs are available. Once established, they can automate double tax payroll and can be customised for companies with foreign tax obligations too. This is a solution that will work for some businesses, if put into practice with the support of a tax professional.

What remains, however, is the mismatch over pensions and employee benefits, which is unlikely to be settled in the absence of mutual cross-border tax agreements with Ireland. Detracting also from any incentives or grants available to foreign businesses hoping to set up in the area, it is also serving as an obstacle to investment.

To make this place more agile and receptive to investment, there is a need for alignment on cross-border worker taxation.