I can say what I like on my own website – right?
Friday, 25th February 2011
From 1st March 2011, the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) online remit will be extended to cover regulating marketing communications on organisations’ own website, on any third party website which a company has control over and in other non-paid-for space online under their control.
The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing will apply in full to marketing messages online, including the rules relating to misleading advertising, social responsibility and the protection of children.
ASA rules will mean that companies must ensure all marketing communications on their website(s) are ‘legal, decent, honest and truthful’. So even if you think you are ‘the best company in the world’ this content may be untruthful and in breach of the regulations.
The rules focus on the use of exaggerated claims and ambiguous information in advertising. The rules will require that your website advertising must not be materially misleading or likely to be so.
It would therefore be prudent to review carefully the content on your website advertising and consider what you are saying and where you’re putting it as if you are found to be in the breach of the rules the ASA can make the company alter or withdraw misleading marketing or advertisements. Where they rule a breach in the rules they will publish the decision on their website which will be very damaging to a company’s reputation.
Royal Wedding Holiday
On another note, if you were not already aware, there will be an additional public bank holiday on Friday 29th April 2011 to mark the Royal wedding. Despite what employees may believe, they are not automatically entitled to an additional day of paid holiday, it all depends on how their contract is worded. You need to take in to account how the staff morale may be impacted if you decide to not allow everyone to have the day as an automatic paid bank holiday when the rest of the country is seen to be marking the occasion! In order to protect your business you may wish to take some advice or at the very least check your contracts of employment so you can make the right decision for your business and staff.
If you would like to discuss your employment law matters with Neil Largan, you can contact him on 01904 624185
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