When you first start out, you may be able to do all the work yourself.  However, as your business grows, it’s likely that you will need to employ others to assist you.  There are a number of responsibilities and regulations involved in becoming an employer, including hiring & firing, PAYE, health and safety regulations and working conditions.  For your own peace of mind, it is important to understand or seek advice on these issues and to apply them in running your business.  Luckily Bristol has a good network of agencies that can help with all issues relating to taking on staff. 

Business Link have information on becoming an employer for the first time, including taking on staff, recruiting, making a job offer, the employment contract, checking your legal responsibilities, getting new workers started, employment status, maintaining staff records, employing part-timers, etc.

They have launched a new tool on their website: by answering a few simple questions you can create a tailored statement of employment that will cover everything you legally need to give a new employee in writing.  Click on Create a written statement of employment.  This document can then be downloaded, printed out and given to the employee.

Also, contact the Inland Revenue’s New Employers' Helpline on 0845 60 70 143 or visit their website when you are thinking of taking somebody on.  Remember, you will need to register as an employer as soon as you have taken on your first employee.

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