A new online toolkit has been launched to give first-time employers a step-by-step guide to their obligations when taking on a member of staff.
Taking on an Employee, which is available on the Business Link website, takes employers through the process of hiring their first member of staff and explains their legal responsibilities on issues including pay, tax and checking a new employee’s right to work in the UK in doing so.
Launching the toolkit on 25 April, Employment Relations Minister Norman Lamb said: “For many one-person businesses there is a belief that the process for taking on their first member of staff can be a daunting and overly complicated process. The Taking on an Employee toolkit aims to tackle this problem and will help empower our sole traders, our one-person businesses, to take that next step.
“If we can provide the advice and information in a simple format, showing first-time employers that taking on staff can be a simple process, this will ultimately help in our efforts in creating jobs and encouraging growth.”
John Walker, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Taking on an employee can be a daunting, expensive and risky process and 13 per cent of FSB members have said one-to-one support would help them take on staff. Having a one-stop-shop to get quick access to all the information needed to recruit will help firms that want to grow.”
A myth busters document has been published alongside the online toolkit that aims to address some common misconceptions about hiring a member of staff. It includes helpful advice on registering with HM Revenue & Customs, anti-discrimination laws, dismissal rules, setting up payrolls and probation periods.
Also available from the site will be information about Government support, financial and otherwise, to encourage employers to take on their first employee.