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Employing & managing staff

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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.

Should I employ a friend in my business?

Toby Brand, founder of fashion outlet BR4ND, discusses why appointing a buddy worked for his business, and why it might for yours.

Employing & managing staff

Employing & managing staff

Preventing illegal working: Changes to employer obligations

Peter Done discusses recent changes to the obligation for businesses to run checks to ensure employees are not illegal workers.

Employing & managing staff

What happens if you offer a job to an individual then change your mind?

Can you retract a job offer if someone more suitable comes along? Peter Done explains.

Employing & managing staff

Flexible working to get more flexible from June

New employment rules will mean the right to request flexible working will be extended to all employees with 26 weeks service from June 30th.

Employing & managing staff

A step-by-step guide to managing repeated employee absence

With the cost of sick leave absence escalating, Neil Atkinson discusses how to address the problem in six steps.

Employing & managing staff

What new employment regulations should I know about?

Are there any new HR and employment laws that I should be aware of as a small business owner?

Employing & managing staff

Can I recoup training costs when an employee leaves?

Can I introduce a policy that allows me to recoup the costs of training from staff who leave within a period of time? This has been a problem for me in the past and I want to try and save money if possible while retaining staff.

Employing & managing staff

How to deal with short-term absence issues

Employee absence can be particularly damaging to the productivity of a small business. Employment expert Adrian Hoggarth outlines how to regain control of the situation as a company owner.

Employing & managing staff

Can I recoup training costs when an employee leaves?

Can I introduce a policy that allows me to recoup the costs of training from staff who leave within a period of time? This has been a problem for me in the past and I want to try and save money if possible while retaining staff.

Employing & managing staff

How to deal with short-term absence issues

Employee absence can be particularly damaging to the productivity of a small business. Employment expert Adrian Hoggarth outlines how to regain control of the situation as a company owner.

Employing & managing staff

Getting the right people on board for a successful team

Robert McHenry, executive chairman of OPP, has learned through experience what it takes to construct a good team around you. Here, he gives some advice.

Employing & managing staff

What incentives can I put in place to boost morale and retain staff?

Our business is picking up, however we still wish to be cautious with pay increases and envisage freezing wages this year. Are there any low-cost incentives that will help us maintain morale and assist with retaining staff?

Employing & managing staff

Preparing your small company for auto-enrolment

Take up Zumba or learn to unicycle? Preparing for auto-enrolment is a New Year’s resolution that your business will thank you for.

Employing & managing staff

The golden rules of finding and keeping good staff

Taking on the right employees first time around can avoid recruitment issues later down the line. Here, Kate Russell discusses what to remember when hiring.

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Business Technology

Friendly guide – top tips for small businesses switching to VoIP

With the landline shutdown coming fast, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP. Don’t let your small business be left behind!

Export & Import

Avoid delays with exports and imports

Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world