6 minute read
CONTENTS
NETWORKING MEMBER SERVICES
TEAM MANAGEMENT
People strategy
From fi nding advice to supporting wellbeing, FSB Employment Protection shares its top tips for managing your employees in the months ahead
UNNING A SMALL BUSINESS IS
Rnever without its challenges. With constant updates and new guidelines being introduced as we move through the Covid-19 pandemic, staying ahead of the curve is crucial.
Keeping up with the business world and getting advice when you need it is key. Th e following six simple tips will help you manage your employees in the months ahead.
Stay in the know From support scheme deadlines to the usual business tax dates and staff reviews, as a business owner there are countless important dates in your diary. Getting organised and keeping a track of what’s on the horizon will help you to plan for the months ahead.
Keep safe Th e health and safety of your employees, whether you have one or 100, is a priority, especially during these times. Staying compliant with new
and existing regulations will help to reassure your employees and keep you on the right side of the law.
When you’re making any changes to your measures or processes, share these with employees so they understand how this will impact them, and off er training where necessary.
Ask for advice Advice you can trust is invaluable, whether you’re reaching out virtually to your network of peers or asking a professional.
Before Covid-19, furloughing was a relatively unknown process, leaving many small business owners searching for advice and information on what to do.
With the furlough scheme ending on 31 October, you may be wondering what steps to take next. It’s always important to get advice before you act to avoid any employment tribunals.
Support wellbeing Th e impact of lockdown and returning to work has a huge impact on mental health. If your team is back in the workplace, make sure they’re aware of resources that are available to them, and the places they can go to for confi dential support.
Get answers Whether it’s employment contracts or template letters, it’s important to tick all the legal boxes. We’ve got you covered – our employment specialists are here every step of the way to answer your questions.
If you’re unsure, you can call the legal advice line for employment support, or access hundreds of downloadable and customisable documents and templates from the FSB Legal Hub.
Communicate with employees Finally, simply talking to your employees about what they need and what might help will go a long way, even if you’re having to make diffi cult decisions about the future of your business. Talk to each member of your team with sensitivity and compassion.
FSB Employment Protection is free for members. Access round-the-clock legal advice on all employment issues, a host of online documents and templates, as well as insurance protection in the event you are taken to an employment tribunal.
For more information, call our customer service team on 0808 2020 888 quoting ‘FSB Employment Protection’ or visit fsb.org.uk/benefi ts
CASE STUDY
Worth every penny
Lynette Th omson is director of Commwire Limited, and has been an FSB member for more than three years. From legal advice on furloughing to support with debt recovery, she shares why she thinks FSB is a “no brainer for a business”
MY EXPERIENCE OF FSB HAS been really positive. I needed help and advice with furloughing staff when Covid-19 happened. I knew it would be crazy busy, but the turnaround of the legal helpline was really fast, and I was able to speak to someone for advice.
Sometimes it’s nice to just speak to a human rather than deal with the jargon. And there are so many diff erent scenarios, so you don’t always know what applies to you. I also found the FSB Legal Hub really helpful too, as I was able to download all the documents I needed.
I’ve used FSB for so many things and I wish I had been a member from the start of my business – there’s so much I purchased and paid for that is all there with FSB. We’ve used health and safety templates on the portal, and they’re our go-to for employment documents. Our sister company needed equality and diversity policies to go to tender, and the documents and templates were all there.
They helped with employment issues, too, when we had an employee who needed time off due to his wife not being well. We didn’t know where we stood morally or legally, so being able to phone an employment solicitor who spoke our language was great. Phoning for advice can get expensive each minute you’re on the phone but with FSB it was all included, and they even helped
us with return to work forms and dealing with sicknesses.
We’ve got fewer than 10 staff . We don’t have in-house departments to look after all these parts of the business, so the benefi ts are 100 per cent worth the membership, every minute of every day.
NETWORKING MEMBER SERVICES
BENEFITS
FSB Business Essentials benefi ts
As experts in business, we off er our members a wide range of vital services including advice, fi nancial expertise, support and a powerful voice in Government. Some of the main products are listed below:
FSB Business Banking:
Exclusive business banking package
FSB Business Continuity:
Free business continuity planning service
FSB Care:
Support for members diagnosed with a serious health condition
FSB Cash Advance:
Access to working capital that is not secured by your assets
FSB Cyber Protection:
Provides access to insurance and a helpline
FSB Debt Recovery:
Help to take action against late-payers
FSB Employment Protection:
Legal representation and basic compensatory awards
FSB Funding Platform:
Exclusive business fi nance service
FSB Health and Safety Service:
Advice from experts plus factsheets and documents
FSB Insurance Service:
Hassle-free insurance and a helpline for advice
FSB Legal Hub:
More than 350 factsheets and 650 legal documents
FSB Legal Protection Scheme:
Access to legal and tax support
FSB Payments:
Discounted card payment services
FSB PR/Crisis Management Helpline:
Guidance from a PR expert
FSB Tax Investigation Protection:
Representation on tax and employer compliance
FSB Workplace Pensions:
Exclusive to members and their staŬ
Make sure you are making the most of your membership. For more information, visit fsb.org.uk/benefi ts or call customer services on 0808 20 20 888
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