Raise your game

The 1992 Olympic Gold medalist Linford Christie once coined a famous phrase which perfectly summed up the importance of planning. Christie often waxed lyrical about the starting pistol and leaving his blocks 'on the B of the bang'. It was his strategy. His preparation.

The sprinter's legendary claim will undoubtedly be repeated by commentators when the Olympic rings land in London next year, but it's also a phrase that closely mirrors the legal issues faced today by the owners of dental practices up and down the country.

Like Christie, dental practices employing support teams and staff, need a clear strategy to reach their goals and if they don't prepare for the legislative changes, then that finishing line will loom long into the distance.

Here, I focus on those goals and the forthcoming changes to employment legislation which will affect most employers across the UK, including those within the dental sector.

Paternity leave and pay

The new Paternity Leave Regulations are now live and affect the parents of children born on or after April 3, 2011. Those qualifying will be permitted to take the maximum of 26 weeks additional paternity leave prior to the child turning one.