MOST business people will be aware that advice and guidance on employee-related matters is readily available from advisory and governing bodies.

However, as well as taking enquiries by telephone or letter, some of the main players also have excellent web sites with a wide range of free information.

A good starting point is the ACAS website at www.acas.org.uk HERE

This site offers a number of ways to access information, all of which are geared towards assisting employers in preventing and resolving problems in the workplace.

The "employment topics" button will take you initially to a page of topics, from where you can follow a link to pages with a list of the latest developments and links to all the related publications, events and FAQs on your chosen subject. Alternatively the "Q & A" button will also take you to a list of topics, and from there you are able to access further information, displayed in an easy to read question and answer format.

Links to other associated web sites, news, and publications are also available.

The Equal Opportunities Commission works to eliminate discrimination in the workplace and their web site at www.eoc.org.uk HERE has plenty of information to assist in ensuring that your business is conforming to the standards expected. Information on legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act is available, there are tips for employers on how to put equality into practice, and following "The Law" link will take you to pages of relevant legislation, codes of practice and case studies.

Also worth visiting is the "EOC Publications" link which has a wide range of free to download publications on a variety of subjects, including a guide for small firms on how to avoid unlawful descrimination on the grounds of race, disability or sex.

The TUC's web site at www.tuc.org.uk HERE is, as you would expect, aimed more at employees than employers, but none the less has some useful information for people running businesses.

A drop down menu on the home page displays a list of subjects, and selecting one leads you to a page containing news and related links to other pages.

The "Know Your Rights" link on the home page is also worth a look.

The web site of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which can be found at www.nacab.org.uk HERE isn't maybe an obvious source of information for businesses, as it is not specifically a business related site.

However, the home page has links to subjects such as employment and discrimination, and following the links will take you to some useful briefing documents and case studies.

Finally, in my opinion the DTI web site at www.dti.gov.uk HERE has to be one of the best sites around if you are looking for information which may be of benefit to your business.

Here, the content is comprehensive to say the least, and I could probably devote an entire column to reviewing the range of features and information.

What's more, the information is well laid out and accessible through a series of menus and links to other pages and sites.

Specific advice on employee matters can be accessed in the first instance through the "Employment Relations" link on the home page, and from here, there is information on topics such as employment rights and work-life balance.

It is a really excellent site and one well worth taking time out to visit.

Ian Templeman is a Bolton-based e-commerce consultant. He can be contacted on ian.templeman@altavista.co.uk