A Midlands-based Virtual PA company has proven itself to be the recession-busting solution for businesses that are feeling the pressure.

With recent reports that small businesses are going to have to shell out billions over the next four years to adhere to new employment legislations*, there has never been a greater need for business owners to think carefully about employing staff.

"Employing people is a huge step for most small businesses and can be financially tough and extremely time consuming", explains director of Time Etc in Birmingham, Barnaby Lashbrooke. "Increasingly, however, business owners are now faced with a huge amount of additional red tape, just to make life even more difficult."

Time Etc is one of a growing number of thriving "Virtual PA" companies who provide skilled, remote, assistants to small businesses on an hourly basis - so business owners no longer need to pay a full time salary or rent office space to get the help they need. 

The company operates from the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham but supports more than 170 clients from all over the UK. Time Etc's team of Virtual PAs are widely skilled, handling everything an employee would take care of and more, from answering the phone and dealing with paperwork to marketing services. 

Such is the success of the Time Etc formula, since it started in 2007 the team has grown from 3 to 30 Virtual PAs and a zero to £1million turnover in this time. The service costs from just £370-a-month, which is much less expensive than taking on an employee. It also has endless benefits including not having to worry about tax, national insurance, pensions, sickness or holiday.

"By using a Virtual PA company like Time Etc you can completely avoid the need to employ someone, and the associated cost, red tape and hassle," Barnaby adds. "It's the easiest way I can think of to get a passionate, committed and hardworking team member to help you with your business."