Record 14.8m women are now employed and figures show number of female entrepreneurs is rising faster than the rate for men
More than a quarter of self-employed workers in the UK are women as the Government gears up to embrace enterprise
IT’S been 20 years since the Spice Girls came up with the concept of “Girl Power”.
And the latest job statistics show that more women than ever before are doing what they really, really want and getting back into work.
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A record 14.8million women are now employed — with many of them being their own bosses.
More than a quarter of self-employed workers in the UK are women and the number of female entrepreneurs is rising nearly three-times faster than the rate for men.
But even if you don’t have pots of money or top contacts, it’s still possible to go it alone.
The Government’s New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme helps thousands of people who want to work for themselves. Businesses it has previously supported cover everything from graphic design and yoga teaching to cheese-making and extreme sports.
The programme is open to anyone over 18 who is claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.
Some Income Support and UC claimants can also access it.
Applicants must show their business idea is viable, then they can tap into funding worth more than £1,200 to get off the ground — and receive up to 26 weeks of advice from their own personal mentor.
Employment Minister Damian Hinds said: “The NEA has opened the door for thousands of ambitious women keen to get their business off the ground.
“I encourage others who are thinking of starting a business to see if it can work for them, too.”
To find out more about the NEA, visit .
Tips for the top
MALEEKA ROBB is a top female UK entrepreneur.
Along with three other women, she owns and runs the celebrity-favourite FOUR London hair salon in Mayfair, with clients including Nigella Lawson, Tess Daly, Yasmin Le Bon, Claudia Winkleman and The Saturdays.
Here, she shares her top tips for success
- Know your business sector but get the right advice and guidance to set up. It doesn’t have to be expensive – there’s a lot of help for free and you can network to get the best.
- Use your femininity to build a better business and working environment. You’ll understand issues male bosses won’t.
- Believe in your brand. Make it what you’d want it to be if you were a customer.
- Have a great team. Women work collaboratively so harness that.
- Be there – no one will love your business more than you.
'I enjoy security of business advisor'
After her mother died, Susan Irvine left her office job of 14 years to become a yoga teacher.
Backed by the NEA, she has gone from teaching two classes a week to ten in the west coast of Scotland, through her firm , and now plans to open a retreat. Susan said: “When I lost my mum to cancer, I realised that life’s too short and you have to follow your dreams. I worked as a paralegal and plodded along in the same office I’d worked in for 14 years.
“I had always wanted to go travelling and go to a yoga retreat. I managed to book a Yoga Teacher Training Programme in Thailand and when I returned home, I applied for NEA to set up the business. My NEA coach was very supportive. I enjoyed the security of having a business adviser to call on at any time and he continues to support me.
“The interest in, and support for, my classes has been overwhelming really. All I want is to help people feel happy and get the benefits from yoga that I have.”
Olympics booster
Letting employees follow all the action at the Rio Olympics, which starts tomorrow, could win firms a gold medal for productivity.
Research from employment law specialist Peninsula found 64 per cent of staff say they’d work harder if their boss allowed them to watch Brits go for glory.
A further 51 per cent are calling for employers to be more flexible during major sporting events, allowing them to start late, leave early or even swap their shifts with workmates.
A sneaky 24 per cent even said they’d call in sick to watch their favourite sporting event if it was banned at work.
Alan Price, HR director at Peninsula, said: “Having fun at work by decorating the office, holding themed events and allowing employees to watch sport is a great way to improve morale, whilst building loyalty and commitment.
“It’s about finding the right balance for your business as what works for one, may not work for another.”
Deal off the menu
Clinching a deal over lunch is under threat as two thirds of workers say firms have cut back on business entertainment.
While two in five employees feel it is a crucial part of doing business, workers have 20 per cent less time to spend on lunch than their Eighties counterparts.
A third of companies believe the lack of lunch culture is in danger of damaging their business, with sectors including PR, advertising and marketing hardest hit.
Penny-pinching bosses were blamed by 41 per cent of employees for the cutbacks and 28 per cent said they no longer had the time for a long lunch.
Joe Steele, of Bookatable, which commissioned the reports, said: “Doing business over lunch is still a fundamental way to build vital working relationships.
“We want to encourage British business to get out of the meeting room and into the dining room.”
Keep 'em sweet
Bosses risk losing new recruits unless they can extend the “honeymoon period”.
A shock study by the Institute of Leadership and Management found one in five of new starters admits to “actively” looking for another job within 12 months.
Dubbed the “one-year itch” it can cost firms up to £30,000 in recruitment and training costs to find a suitable replacement. Kate Cooper from the Institute, who likens the first few months in a job to a honeymoon period, said: “The way to retain talent is to ensure steps are in place so neither of you lose that loving feeling.
“New starters need to have a sense of immediate productivity and accessible line managers.
“The advice is, once you’ve got them, don’t let them leave.”
Cheaper childcare
When you have the skills to care for kids, finding a job should be child’s play.
But with the average family paying more than £6,000 a year for part-time nursery places, many parents find they simply can’t afford to get back to work.
Minister for Welfare Delivery Caroline Nokes is now trying to change that with a new package. Here’s how to get started:
- Ask your Jobcentre Plus work coach for personalised support to find a job that fits in with your responsibilities.
- Universal Credit should make it easy to take on part-time work without losing benefits.
- Low-paid workers can claim up to 85 per cent of costs back.
- The free childcare entitlement doubles to 30 hours for three and four-year-olds from autumn 2017.
- From next year, Tax-Free Childcare can give you £2,000 extra per year for children up to 12.
Jardine in gear to hire
Driven to succeed? Then join the Jardine Motors Group.
The car dealer has 120 UK vacancies including technicians, sales and customer service roles. The firm is keen to get more women on board as well as staff with experience in high street retail or hospitality.
Jardine’s Clare Martin says: “The way we buy and sell cars has changed in the last decade. Technology and digital is a major force and this requires a new breed of automotive retail worker.
“You don’t need to know a lot about cars or have worked in motor retail before. We’re looking for people who want to deliver the very best customer experience and work with passion and integrity.”
Find out more at .
Job spots
APPRENTICESHIP expert JTL is currently looking for electrical tutors. Please apply at jobs. CYBER security firm RED SNAPPER needs retired or ex-police officers. Send CVs to Jules. [email protected]
Rather be on the piste?
It is still summer (in theory) but now is the perfect time to apply for a ski-season job.
Luxury chalet firm Chilly Powder is hiring a team of six qualified nannies and five fine-dining chefs for the 2016/17 winter ski season.
Applicants need experience in a customer-facing role but not necessarily in a ski chalet.
Owner Francesca Eyre said: “Applicants must be relaxed, friendly and complement the rest of our staff in our chalets.
“The family-friendly ethos and high-quality food is one of the main reasons why our guests come back every year.”
Roles are six days a week and you must have a full, clean driving licence.
To apply, send your CV to Nick at [email protected].
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