Help for first-time employers

Mar 25 2008 by Suzanne McCreedy

From deciding whether to hire permanent or temporary staff to carrying out an induction, Business Link can ease the pressures of becoming a first time employer.

Through its starting up section, the Business Link website provides a step-by-step guide to recruitment. It will help you consider whether recruitment is the best option for your business, suggesting a variety of alternatives to tackle capacity issues, including training in new skills or sharing workload.

If you decide to take on new staff, the guide will help you understand the options available, explaining the pros and cons of employing permanent, fixed-term, temporary or freelance staff.

The starting up section outlines your responsibilities throughout the recruitment process, including what to do when interviewing candidates to preparing a contract and ensuring that staff records are handled in line with the Data Protection Act 1998.

It will highlight key duties and actions, such as registering as an employer with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and checking whether a potential employee is eligible to enter, stay and work in the UK. Other key responsibilities include:

:: providing employees with a written statement of the main terms and conditions of their contract of employment.

:: making sure the working environment is safe and secure.

:: arranging insurance to protect against claims for any illnesses, injuries or diseases your employees may pick up as a result of working for you. In addition to providing advice and guidance, the starting up section provides a number of interactive tools which help make the recruitment process simpler and ensure that you complete all the necessary steps.

These tools will help you draft a formal letter setting out terms and conditions and enable you to enter details about your new member of staff to create a list of actions you need to take.

:: Business Link’s substantial team of expert brokers operate across the region in local access points and on a mobile basis. For further information about Business Link visit www.businesslinknortheast.co.uk or call 0845 600-9006.