May 13th

The trials and tribulations of travel

By Tanguera
Many workers have been affected by transport disruptions. Technically it is their responsibility to get up earlier and find an alternative route into work. In reality, many employers arrange home working which reduces stress and improves productivity.

Vintage carIf you don't have an established car sharing or lift sharing scheme, you should be careful you don't end up setting up liability for uninsured drivers. You should not be ordering or directing employees to get into a car with 'Fred' if you don't know that 'Fred' is insured. If the car is a fully insured company car that's different.

Hourly paid workers are not usually paid except for the hours they work, though salaried workers may be on a different basis. You should check your contracts to see if you do in fact pay people on an hourly basis, or some other way.

Annabel Kaye (Tanguera) is Managing Director of Irenicon Ltd, a specialist employment law consultancy.
T: 08452 303050
F: 08452 303060
W: www.irenicon.co.uk
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Mar 30th

A dance of leadership and followership

By Tanguera
Two to Tango
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Sensuous. Sexy. Intimate. That’s the Argentine Tango. A dance of close embrace. Improvisation. Intense connection and chemistry between two dancers as they move in harmony. One leader. One follower. Traditionally the leader is the man. But the roles can be reversed. Just needs to be agreed in advance! As we live in anything-goes times, men can tango with men. Women with women. It may take two to tango. Who says you have to specify which two? 
 
You lead. I’ll follow.
The Argentine Tango is a living language. With its own rules, etiquette and non verbal vocabulary. On the dance floor the leader responds to the music, his partner and the circulation of the other dancers. The leader indicates the steps or figures he’s inviting the follower to take by his body language. Shifting his weight. A cheeky toe-tapping-flick-kick. Talking with his shoulders. 


Even bears can learn to tango

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In the Argentine Tango, the lead makes an invitation. Not an order. Following a leader is voluntary. It can be resigned at any time. Which means the follower has a choice.  Leading and following inevitably become a complex interaction. A dance within a dance.

Sometimes the follower does something unexpected that actually works. A good leader leaves enough room for the follower to add an element of surprise and Angel Delight. A colourful twist. That's why the circle of 'leader influences follower influences leader' can lead to a rather merry dance. It may not even be crystal clear who’s actually leader of the pack and has the weapon of choice.  

Blame it on the boogie 
There are times when things don’t go to plan. Slightly adrift even. Poor leaders blame followers for not doing the right signalling steps. Wise leaders, rarely find the follower at fault if the dance goes wrong. Which it can. Take one inexperienced follower. Tickle the boundaries. Sure. Just a stone's throw beyond the comfort zone to a place of exhilaration and excitement so the follower has little choice but to exceed expectations and feel empowered. 

When leadership and followership works in harmony the Argentine Tango is mesmerising. Truly wonderful. Hey! Isn't leading in business much the same?
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