HR Top Tips

Posted by Theresa Eastwood from HR Dept on 08 April 2008

What you need to know if you have Staff
by Theresa Eastwood of the HR Dept

Employment law and staff issues are complex and time consuming. So if you are about to embark on employing staff for the first time, or are already an employer, then here are some useful tips that you need to know.

Before

• Employer’s liability insurance is compulsory if you employ people, so make sure you get this arranged before your first person starts. This covers you against any claims against if someone is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work. There are a few exceptions to this, for example if all staff are closely related, but make sure you check before to be safe.

• Contracts of Employment have to be provided within 8 weeks of someone starting employment with you.

• Job Descriptions and person specifications should be prepared before you even advertise a vacancy. This ensures you know what you are looking for and the type of person you need to do the role. It also helps you to avoid making assumptions about people and that you do not discriminate on grounds of race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnic origin or religious beliefs which are all illegal. Claims for discrimination at the recruitment stage are one of the highest growth areas for tribunals. So you can be taken to a tribunal by someone who is not even employed by you and never has been. You need to keep details of all applicants for 6 months.

• Personal Identity checks should be conducted for all potential employees to ensure they are legal to work in the UK. Further information on eligibility to work in the UK can be found on www.workingintheuk.gov.uk

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