Helpline for worried bosses

By LINDA WHITNEY FOR MAILONLINE
Updated: 19:00 EST, 18 August 2000

Are problems with business regulations keeping you awake at night? If so, the answer may be at the end of the phone. As small firms are faced with rafts of new regulations, telephone advice services are springing up, offering such firms help with legal, regulatory and tax problems. Two were launched last month.

Many services feature a 24-hour telephone helpline staffed by experts in law, tax, and health and safety rules. So, if it's 3am and you're worried that sacking an employee may result in a claim for unfair dismissal, you can find out how to avoid a tribunal.

The services cost money, which you could save by getting information free from Government publications or websites. But often these just set out the rules, sometimes with a few examples.

For a more specific interpretation or explanation, you may have to use an accountant or lawyer, which can cost hundreds of pounds.

If you find yourself regularly using professionals such as these, a subscription to a telephone advice service might be cheaper.

'The business has doubled in size from 12 to 24 employees in the past year, so I've needed a lot of help with personnel issues, such as making sure staff are clear about their terms and conditions of employment,' says Tim, pictured.

'Initially, I was asking the company solicitor, but it took time to get a reply and bills were £150 an hour. Now I ask the lawyers on Color's advice line who specialise in employment law. At £15 a month, it's saved us a lot.' The company imports European cars so he uses the Color website to check the euro exchange rates.

'It has also been useful for checking our responsibilities according to health and safety regulations. It's faster and cheaper than getting an inspector in,' he adds.

So, what services are available and how much do they cost?

COLOR, launched in July by Royal & Sun Alliance: Offers 24-hour telephone advice from lawyers, tax and VAT advisers, employment law specialists, and health and safety advisers. The web-site has regulation updates, an online discount buying club, free internet service provider (ISP), unlimited e-mails and a technical support service, plus special web-search facilities.

To come: Website set-up package, employee welfare scheme, on-line forums and chat rooms.

Cost: Free for first 60 days, then £15 a month for unlimited access for five users.

ESSENTIAL Business Advice Service, launched in July by Lloyds TSB Insurance and business advice provider First Assist: Includes 24-hour phone advice on employment, health and safety, tax and law and e-mail for queries, with answers in 48 hours.

There are downloadable forms for job applicants, small claims proceedings, etc. There's a manual and newsletter and legal expenses cover for regulation-related cases, plus representation at tribunals.

Face-to-face consultancy at preferential rates is also on offer (£89 an hour plus £59 an hour travelling time).

Cost: £22.95 a month.

LEGAL, Personnel and Management Services (LPMS): A 24-hour helpline on employment law, health and safety, legal and tax problems.

There's a newsletter, consultancy (meetings up to one hour at LPMS are often free, more complex work costs from £70 an hour), free confidential legal letter drafting, free risk assessments, emergency accident investigations and drafting of safety policies. A website is coming soon.

Many other organisations also offer telephone help-lines as part of larger service packages.