Skip to main content
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, the home of business support.

Search

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Small firms make vaccinations compulsory for staff

24 August 2021

A new study has found that the Delta variant of the coronavirus is having a significant impact on small businesses, with some delaying a return to the workplace and many planning to make COVID vaccinations mandatory for their employees.

Research by JumpCloud has investigated the ways in which small firms are responding to the threats currently posed by coronavirus - and the Delta variant in particular. Its latest survey, 2021 Impact of COVID-19 on SMEs, polled small businesses in the UK and the United States to find out what steps businesses are now taking to manage COVID risks.

Many small businesses are calling on their employees to get vaccinated. In the UK, the findings show that 58% of SMEs have taken steps to mandate vaccination for employees, including 73% of companies in Greater London and 45% in the rest of the UK. More than half of those mandating vaccinations (56%) say they will offer incentives to encourage vaccination, including paid time off work to get a vaccine, a holiday with proof of vaccination and even cash or other compensation.

In the UK, 53% of small firms say they are rethinking the plan to return to the office and an additional 15% say they have already delayed their "work in the office" start date. Of those who have delayed a return to the office, 32% of respondents are delaying until September; 11% are delaying until October; 19% are delaying until November or later; and 38% don't yet have a firm timeline. Seven in ten UK SMEs (71%) say that they will be offering a "work from home" option indefinitely.

For those UK firms that have made changes to their return-to-work plans, these include:

  • Requiring social distancing in the workplace (62%);
  • Limiting the number of people in the workspace at one time (60%);
  • Requiring masks or PPE (47%);
  • Upgrading air filters or air conditioning equipment (49%);
  • Altering the workplace with physical dividers (45%).

"SMEs continue to exhibit great resourcefulness, flexibility and initiative in responding to the pandemic and the Delta variant," said Rajat Bhargava, ceo of JumpCloud. "As an SME ourselves, we know the current conditions are extremely fluid, and like the majority of respondents, we had to rethink and delay our office return and hybrid workplace options."

Written by Rachel Miller.