What is the maximum number of employees a small business must have to be eligible for the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) guidance?

For a small business to be eligible for guidance from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), it must have a maximum of 50 employees. This threshold is established to define what constitutes a small business in the context of receiving specific support and advice regarding financial disputes.

Understanding this limit is essential, as it helps delineate the kinds of businesses that can access the FOS's resources. Small businesses, by nature, often have fewer resources and less bargaining power than larger firms, so the FOS aims to provide assistance tailored to their needs. Therefore, the guidance targets businesses with 50 or fewer employees to ensure the service is both accessible and appropriate for smaller entities.

This criterion differentiates small businesses from medium and large enterprises, which may have different channels available for resolving disputes. Other options, suggesting a higher number of employees, exceed the limit set for small business eligibility and therefore would not be applicable in this context.