NatWest readies SMEs for next phase of recovery
NatWest has today launched MentorDigital, a free new digital advice platform for SMEs, which offers employment law, HR and health and safety guidance, as the UK takes its next steps out of lockdown.
The bank’s new Mentor digital service aims to help SMEs plan ahead to ensure both business owners and their staff are well protected, as they return to their workplaces in the months ahead, and increasing numbers of staff return to full time employment in a much changed work environment.
The free platform is the latest improvement to the bank’s Mentor service, which has seen a significant surge in interest during the pandemic, with over 200,000 users now using the service for advice and support, an increase of over 80% since lockdown.
NatWest reports that 47% of the calls Mentor has received in the last 12 months were related to staff redundancies, and 34% were related to the furlough scheme – meaning that 4 out of 5 calls it took during the course of the year were from businesses looking for support on their employment challenges.
Iain Cumby, Mentor CEO, NatWest said “With the worst of the pandemic now hopefully behind us, SMEs face the next challenge of adjusting to the new normal. Changes to working arrangements, covid-compliance, the end of the furloughing scheme and the vaccine debate are all crucial issues that business owners with staff will be considering how to approach.
Through Mentor, we’re here to provide SMEs with our free digital platform, as well as a telephone advice service to help businesses ensure they’re well prepared for all these issues, keeping themselves and their staff safe in the process, and allowing them to focus on what matters in the months and years ahead – making their business thrive.”
MentorDigital aims to provide small business owners with a free online compliance platform, offering the latest advice on business recovery and health and safety guidance, as well as tools to allow employee record and holiday management.
