BUSINESS customers of the Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest are being offered a Mentor service to help contest employment law issues.

Mr John Robertshaw, RBSG Regional Consultant for Employment Law and Health & Safety, says escalating levels of Employment Tribunal awards and constantly changing legislation makes employment law a minefield.

He said: "Employers already have to cope with the Working Time Directive, the National Minimum Wage, regulations on part-time and fixed-term workers and the Human Rights Act.

"This already vast body of employment law is set to expand even further with the implementation of measures outlined in the Employment Bill 2001."

He added: "Further legislation is also due bolstering codes and legal requirements based on age, disability, religious and sex discrimination."

John Robertshaw can be contacted on 07710 142433 or 0141-204-2661.

Mr Robertshaw says employees are becoming increasingly aware of their rights and the number of claims to Employment Tribunals is on the increase.

Mentor, which is one of a number of products and services available to owner-managed companies, offers expert advice on all aspects of employment law and representation in the event of a tribunal.

which encompass a wide range of initiatives in areas such as flexible working, maternity, paternity and adoption leave/pay and dispute resolution in the workplace."