FPB launches 2006 employment guide amid fears of small firm complacency
  
A leading business support group is launching its 2006 employment law guide for small businesses with the findings of a survey showing that nearly 40 per cent of firms are not confident they are complying with current law.
  
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) Employment Guide is now in its sixth year and is being offered at a special discount of more than 25 per cent off to your readers (see notes to editors) until the end of February.
  
The FPB's Head of Membership Jenny Stewart warned that all businesses employing people, regardless of size, had to comply with employment law and failure to do so risked causing immense damage and disruption both financially and operationally.
  
"Our survey revealed that 17 per cent did not have contracts of employment for all staff and well over half, 57 per cent, had not updated their discipline and grievance procedures for the past 12 months,' she said. "This church hall amateur approach to the law is just asking for trouble. Employment law is a minefield for small firms. The vast majority of calls to our member helpline are related to employment.  That is why we produce our Employment law guide every year. It is an indispensable guide for any firm employing people.  It gives all the information employers need, from recruitment through to dismissal, to help them avoid industrial tribunals and unfair dismissal claims, and maintain positive workplace relations."
  
Ms Stewart said an increasing number of businesses are facing disputes with staff.  In 2003, there were more than 115,000 tribunal claims and many more disputes settled expensively out of court.
  
"Small businesses owners are vulnerable to being attacked  by  the ambulance chasing law firms and organisations soliciting and encouraging tribunal claims especially on no win no fee basis,' she said. "We know running a small firm is massively time consuming but it pays to have a robust grasp of employment law."
  
Notes 

The FPB is offering readers more than 25 per cent off its 2006 employment guide for £300 a saving of £80. To claim the guide readers should call the FPB Member Information Services team, before the end of February, quoting your publication on 0845 130 1722. FPB members can buy the guide for £150.
  
The Forum of Private Business background
  
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) was formed in 1977 and is a pressure group fighting on behalf of private businesses. The FPB represents approximately 25,000 UK-based businesses employing in excess of 600,000 people, and is a powerful lobbying voice in both the UK and the European Union.
  
The FPB, as the only full UK member of UEAPME - the organisation that represents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe - is the most prominent advocate of UK SMEs in Brussels and has a track record of positively affecting legislation prior to its introduction in the UK .
  
The FPB also provides a range of business services aimed at increasing member efficiency and profitability. Visit  www.fpb.org
  

(31/1/06)