Seven things you need to consider when employing staff for the first time

• Check someone has the legal right to work in UK
• Carry out DBS checks (in certain fields e.g. security)
• Pay at least the National Minimum Wage
• Get employment insurance
• Give your employee a written statement of employment covering the basic information that an employer is required to give by law.

This is made up of the main document (known as a ‘principal statement’) which must be given on the first day and a wider written statement which must be given within 2 months.

On the first day of employment the employer must also provide the employee with information about: sick pay and procedures, other paid leave (for example, maternity leave and paternity leave) and notice periods.

The employer can choose whether to include this information in the ‘principal statement’ or provide it in a separate document.

• Register with HMRC as an employer
• Check if you need to enrol your staff into a workplace pension scheme

It is not a legal requirement to provide a written contract of employment, but it is good practice to do so.

JY Partners Solicitors can draft all employment documents for you including an employee handbook. An employee handbook is a document that communicates your company’s mission, policies and expectations and clarifies your employees’ rights and responsibilities while employed by you. It is not a legal requirement to have an employee handbook, but it reduces legal risk and ensures that your employees understand the expectations that you have of them and their entitlements.

Contact our Employment Law Solicitors

If you have any enquiries in relation to UK employment law, contact our employment law solicitors on 020 8240 9018 or via the enquiry form on our website.