Most chefs prefer the heat of the kitchen to the living hell that is dealing with tax, human resources, health and safety and legal stuff. At AWOL we are members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) which we think has a lot to offer the hospitality industry.

One of the benefits of membership of the Federation of Small Businesses is free tax advice - PAYE and VAT - from full-time experts who are all former tax inspectors. They work with your accountant and pay your accountant for any work involved, so your accountant doesn’t lose out. They also represent you in any meetings with the Revenue or Customs. You don’t have to get involved – just call FSB and they take over.

If you hire your chef from AWOL, we take care of your tax. However, if you think you have anomalies in your books from a time before you worked with us - it's good to know that help is at hand.

Other benefits

Other benefits of FSB membership include support with human resources. They represent you free with their lawyers if staff take you to tribunal, pay the bill if you lose and pay any award made against you, so you can’t lose.

FSB also supply all your legal documents free, like contracts of employment, health and safety. There are also many financial benefits, for example discounts on credit card machines with NatWest streamline, free business banking, and cheaper insurances.

FSB has a Lancashire and Cumbria branch which organises regular events.You can contact the Federation of Small Businesses on www.fsb.org.uk.