Businesscare from Firstassist offers health and wellbeing solutions to SMEs

Small and Medium sized enterprises - SMEs - make up 99% of the UK’s Business Community and account for over 50% of all employment and business turnover. Yet despite this, it is this sector that has historically been left behind in terms of affordable, daily and expert support, until now that is. FirstAssist, the leading business to business health and wellbeing provider, is offering SMEs somewhere to turn to. Introducing BusinessCare, a web based package, backed by professional 24/7 helplines, dedicated to offering practical business guidance and support, tailored to the specific needs of the SME market.

BusinessCare helps businesses manage the most common issues where expert advice and support is needed - employment, health and safety, commercial law, tax and VAT and employee wellbeing. Each section contains information and documents available to download and tailor to a businessís own needs - documents such as staff disciplinary checklists, debt collection letter templates, Health and Safety policy documents and guidance notes on how to recruit employees as well as many others. Employment and health and safety consultants also offer cost-effective support to businesses in areas such as contract drafting, policy statements, training and auditing.

Andy Glynne, FirstAssist’s BusinessCare manager comments ’’It is clear that SME’s are grappling with a business environment that continues to become increasingly bureaucratic, leaving them in need of help from one easily accessible source. There were 50 new laws governing the employment of people introduced in the 1990’s, but 2003 has seen a staggering 20% increase in employment tribunals. Combine this with the recent Health & Safety Executive clampdown on employer responsibility for staff stress and wellbeing, the pressure for employees to be all things to all employees intensifies. Indeed, these two things in isolation are a big enough pressure on large companies. For the SME it represents a minefield but BusinessCare offers a solution.î

Businesses are kept aware of changes in legislation through regular email updates on topical issues, in addition to a newsletter and news alerts posted regularly on the site. All of this is backed up by telephone and e-mail access to an advisory service available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is provided by lawyers, barristers, employment and health and safety and tax and VAT specialists for the highest level of advice.

Furthermore, it includes a unique Employee Wellbeing area, to help SMEs address the healthcare needs of their staff. Access to telephone counselling, health screening and occupational health advice lines are just some of the services that this section includes. SMEs can also purchase large company benefits for their employees - benefits which historically have not been available to smaller companies.

ìIn BusinessCare, FirstAssist is using its expertise to help small businesses stay up-to-date with issues affecting their business,î continues Andy Glynne. We are providing a single point of access to support them whenever they need it. This allows SMEs to concentrate on what they do best, generate turnover and make profits! We are committed to bringing businesses a wealth of information straight to their desktops. BusinessCare is just the beginning in creating a community that offers real peace of mind and financial benefit for SMEs.î

For further information on BusinessCare call 0845 795 9002