Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
The latest guides on employing and managing full or part time staff effectively as a small business owner or sole trader, brought to you in partnership with Sage. Contains advice on employment law, health and safety at work, recruitment, training, redundancy and disciplinary information, employee rights, workplace regulations, and much more.
This section provides expert and in-depth advice articles on all aspects of staff management and human resources legislation. Our aim is to help UK small businesses to hire great employees, manage them effectively and look after them properly.
Other key topics covered in this employing staff section include team management, employee motivation, legal rights and responsibilities, managing absence, maternity pay and leave, taking on new staff, induction programmes, communication, workplace policies, flexible working, job descriptions, employment contracts and related information.
We also provide information on HR tools, templates and resources specially targeted at SMEs as well as suitable training courses and workshops that can help you get the best out of your staff to make a more efficient, more profitable, happy and productive company.
Get more time back to build your business with Sage’s one solution for all your business needs. Get accounting and payroll with HR features you can access from anywhere, all with award-winning support and unrivalled business advice.
I have an employee who is struggling with childcare, but cannot afford to reduce her hours. Am I legally obliged to help with childcare costs or is there something else I can do to ease the situation?
Employing & managing staff
Employing & managing staff
I have an employee who is currently on sick leave from work, however I have noticed that they have been posting images of themselves going out on social media. How can I approach this situation?
Employing & managing staff
Alan Price explains why an environment of learning is a necessity to help build and grow an organisation.
Employing & managing staff
I am tight on employee numbers at the moment while I recruit new team members and I need more of my staff to do late night shifts for the short term. Can I expect them to do this, and if so when can they start?
Employing & managing staff
I am in the process of interviewing candidates for a job, but after the first couple I feel that I have found the perfect person for the position. However, I have other interviews set up. Do I have to follow through with these?
Employing & managing staff
A member of staff experienced a family loss and took time off to grieve. I did not pay them bereavement pay at the time as I wasn't sure if they were entitled to it. The employee is now claiming he would like to be paid for the time off.
Employing & managing staff
Here, we look at a service that tests programming candidates before interview, helping you to find the right hire.
Employing & managing staff
What CV information should stand out to you when taking on staff? Geoff Ford discusses the factors to take on board.
Employing & managing staff
Here, we look at a service that tests programming candidates before interview, helping you to find the right hire.
Employing & managing staff
What CV information should stand out to you when taking on staff? Geoff Ford discusses the factors to take on board.
Employing & managing staff
I have a number of employees who fail to take their annual leave, this may be because they are busy or feel obligated to the business. As our small business can often become busy and hectic I would like to encourage my workforce to take annual leave; how can I best do this?
Employing & managing staff
Is there a way I can prevent my employees becoming bored at work? How can I ensure that they feel challenged and satisfied in their role?
Employing & managing staff
What is the minimum holiday entitlement we need to provide staff and should that include bank holidays? Also does this information need to be included within HR documentation?
Employing & managing staff
Ian Cowley brought his HR function closer to home and explains why it is a position worth having in-house.
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Business Technology
To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis
Investing in a franchise
Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.