Month: November 2017

How to prepare for GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

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What is GDPR?

The way in which businesses process data is changing. The General Data Protection Regulation is being introduced to replace the current 1998 Data Protection Act. GDPR will govern how businesses use, handle and protect personal data.

From 25th May 2018, businesses will be required to keep a record of all of the personal data that they hold, prove that they have the correct consent to be using the data, show how the data is being used and what controls are being put in place to protect the data.

So, how do I prepare?

Start early
 Organise an information audit Begin documenting what personal data you store. Identify where it came from, the reasons why you store it and think about if you really need to continue to store this information.

Make sure that your employees have the knowledge that they need
It’s very important that you make sure your employees have the correct knowledge about GDPR. As an employer, you have to make sure that your employees understand when, how and why GDPR is coming into force and the impact it will create for businesses. It’s also very important that your employees have the correct knowledge of the new data protection laws so that in the unfortunate event of a data breach they are aware of how to resolve the situation positively.

Review
As part of the new law you will now need to record and manage consent for the data you hold. Now is a good time to review or put in place any changes to comply with the new GDPR.

GDPR will come into force on 25th May 2018. You can find out more information about the upcoming changes by visiting the below links or visiting one of the many training / information events being held in the upcoming months.

Useful Information
Overview of the GDPR
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-reform/overview-of-the-gdpr/

Getting Ready for the GDPR
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-reform/getting-ready-for-the-gdpr/

GDPR Events / Training
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom /gdpr/

 

Don’t Get Seasonally Stressed!

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Don’t Get Seasonally Stressed!

On the lead up to the festive period it can be easy to become overwhelmed with your workload and not know where to start. Here are some of our top tips on how to combat the seasonal stresses!

1. Plan Ahead

Look at your current workload and get prioritizing with a good old list. Identify what tasks can be completed now and make a note of tasks that can wait until the New Year.

2. Don’t Overestimate Yourself

In the heightened stresses of the busy season, it can be easy to say “yes” a little too much. Be careful not to overestimate how much you can achieve before you break up for the Christmas holidays, and only agree to taking on tasks that you know you will be able to achieve.

3. Delegate

Looking at your list of tasks, there is in most cases, another colleague or member of staff that could lighten your workload for you.  Delegating tasks and responsibilities to others will also reduce your workload and stress levels.

4. Look After Yourself

There are many simple ways to lower your stress levels that you may not have even thought about in your busy schedule:

• Listen to music

Listening to music has a positive effect on the brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.

• Take a lunch break

It can be easy to eat your lunch whilst working at your desk when dealing with a busy workload. Stop! Take a break. Whether that’s go for a walk, booking a quick massage or meeting up with a friend for coffee, make sure you take some time out.

• Take a deep breath

It’s quite possible you might breathe 50,000 times or more per day. But have you ever really paid much attention to this? When you’re feeling overwhelmed it’s important to focus on your breathing. Take a couple of deep breaths. This will help to restore balance.

5. Have Fun

After all, it’s Christmas! Celebrate your successes, eat well, drink well and embrace the precious time with your family, friends and loved ones.

If you are feeling particularly stressed or worried about your workload heading into the festive period, why don’t you make it easy for yourself and get someone else to help? At MOMENTUM we’re always happy to help with a variety of tasks. Get in contact today by giving us a call on 01903 688789 or emailing us at makeithappen@mbsmih.com – we’d be more than happy to help.