If you thought your small business could manage without legal protection, think again.

In recent years there has been a deluge of employment legislation - much of it aimed at protecting the employee. Employment tribunal activity has increased significantly and so too have costs, time, complexity and awards involved.

Employers believe that the existing system for resolving workplace disputes is failing them, with nearly 70 percent saying they have no legal cover against employees making unjustifiable claims to employment tribunals.

Three in five employers have had an unfair dismissal brought against them by a staff member, with many "tagging on" a discrimination claim in the hope of receiving more compensation, according to figures from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The same survey reveals that 70 percent of employers are using compromise agreements to avoid employee claims. Tribunal costs remain virtually unrecoverable.

At the same time, small businesses have continued to be targeted for investigation by HM Revenue & Customs, so the FSB also offers members tax protection as part of our legal services.

The FSB's Legal Protection Scheme, one of the cornerstones of the membership, offers help, guidance and insurance cover for small businesses faced with defending such claims.

Legal cover: the protection the FSB offers

In partnership with its service provider, Abbey Legal Protection, the FSB Legal Protection Scheme is designed to provide essential business protection to members through a range of professional services.

As a right of membership, services include:

• Access to legal advice from qualified lawyers 24/7 365 days a year.
• Tax advice from Revenue trained specialists.
• Information and documentation on employment law, tax, health and safety and commercial law through the FSB's members-only website: www.fsblegalinfo.org.uk
• The benefit of Legal Protection Insurance for representation in Criminal Prosecutions, Jury Service, Employment Tribunals & Statutory Awards, Tax, VAT & PAYE investigations, Property, Data Protection, Personal Injury & Statutory Licence.

The FSB also offers comprehensive online legal advice covering employment and business law, taxation and health and safety issues.