Nick Pandya: Work in progress

Nick Pandya: Work in progress

·The number of prosecutions for breaches of health and safety rules rose by 6% to 982 in 2003-04, according to the Health & Safety Executive's annual offences and penalties report. And average fines per successful prosecution went up to nearly £14,000 up from about £8,800 in 2002-03.

Timothy Walker, director general of Health & Safety Executive, says: "We will not shy from issuing enforcement notices or prosecuting where necessary."

For a copy of the HSE's latest offences and penalties report, go to hse.gov.uk/ enforce/off03-04/

· It seems British workers can't get no satisfaction; nearly two out of five workers feel regret and frustration about their jobs, according to the findings from the Life Satisfaction Index, compiled by Learning & Skills Council.

Advertisement starts

---

---

Advertisement ends

The Index threw up a revealing contradiction - although nine in ten (87%) people say they are satisfied with their current situation, 36% say that they are not living up to their potential.

TV presenter Fiona Phillips, who launched the Index, says: "All of us can look back on our lives and regret decisions that we've made. However, it's never too late to improve your confidence and prospects for the future, especially at work."

Learning & Skills Council has set up "nextstep", an information and guidance service that helps adult workers to raise their skills and find better jobs. For free face time with a local careers advisor, call freephone 08000-931-700.

· Yell UK has picked up the 2004 EFQM Quality Award for Organisational Excellence in Leadership and Constancy of Purpose and in People Development and Involvement.

EFQM network, representing more than 850 European companies from a wide range of industries and sectors, helps businesses to design better products and deliver improved services using leading edge management practices. For more information, go to www.efqm.org

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004