Each business that signs up for the scheme will be given an initial health check and full set of templates for all the essential employment forms and standard policy documents. They will be given a folder with a complete set of all the necessary paperwork and a help line number. Mentor consultant Brian Robinson, says, “We don’t expect people to read through the folder. When a problem or issue arises they can simply call us on the help line and we will refer them to the relevant page and offer the guidance that they need.”

The package also includes liability insurance, which Brian believes is essential. “It is becoming easier and easier for employees to take legal action against their employer and it is vitally important that small businesses are insured against this possibility as the requirement to pay compensation could ruin a small business.”

The scheme is aimed at small businesses that are growing and taking on new staff members. Brian says, “If a business is reaching the point where the job of hiring and firing is becoming too onerous for the proprietor to handle but there is not enough money coming in to take on an HR professional then Mentor offers the ideal solution.” If you are interested in taking part in the Mentor pilot please contact Soozie Campbell on 01273 380040 or at Soozie@mmp.co.uk.