Reported on Fri, 24 Feb 2006

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) should consider the benefits of taking out a business loan, as the TUC comes under intense criticism for suggesting workers walk out on their employees today.

The Forum of Private Businesses (FPB), which represents over 25,000 SMEs nationwide, has lambasted the TUC's Work Your Proper Hours' Day.

Nick Goulding, chief executive of the FPB, explained that SMEs are the backbone of the UK's economy, and thrive upon having a flexible relationship with their staff.

"Small businesses employ a third of the workforce, that's 12.3 million people driving 51 per cent of the total UK turnover. For those jobs to be provided, and that wealth to be created, small businesses need flexibility," he said.

Mr Goulding added the concept of encouraging staff to desert their posts come 5pm this evening was "reckless".

"The TUC, with this idea, is hurling a crowbar into the works of small businesses," he said.

"It sends out all the wrong messages to workers and is ill-thought-out and reckless. They have to be able to ask their staff to work longer hours at time of customer demand. But the flipside is that small firms are happy to give workers time off and play fair."

A low-rate business loan if one of the best ways to invest in new areas and increase productivity.

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