Recruitment

The key to taking on staff is careful planning as it can be a long and costly process.  There are many options available for filling vacancies, all with their accompanying pros and cons:

• Training existing staff
• Full-time / part-time contracts
• Zero-hour contracts (on call workers)
• Agency / temporary staff
• Contractors / freelancers

Employers have a number of legal obligations when taking on staff including contracts and pay, noting the National Minimum Wage levels according to age.

Another major requirement is that employers ensure that their workers are eligible to work in the United Kingdom, or risk conviction.  However, it is unlikely that an employer will be taken to court if they have conducted (and can demonstrate) the checks outlined on the Home Office website.

Managing staff

Once workers have been employed there are a number of factors that need to be continually reviewed:

• Rules and working practices
• Working hours
• Leave
• Health and safety
• Equal opportunities

A final difficult process that an employer may have to undertake and thus require guidance on is staff leaving.  This includes employees resigning or retiring as well as redundancies and dismissals.  There are a number of legal requirements and good practice procedures that should be followed.

Further information

Despite the administration and procedures required for employing staff, it is often a necessity for allowing a business to grow and thrive.  If you would like some advice on any of these issues please refer to the Business Link website which contains comprehensive information on employing staff including interactive tools.

• Senior Economic Development Officer
  Name: Helen Heanes
  Email: h.e.heanes@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224677
  Full details for Helen Heanes