Employing & managing staff

The latest guides on employing and managing full or part time staff effectively as a small business owner or sole trader. 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. Sounds good? Then read on…

Avoiding stress in the workplace

Stress at work is no laughing matter, with 13.5 million working days lost to businesses last year. Here, SmallBusiness.co.uk and charity The Eden Project offer some tips to defuse office tension.

Employing & managing staff

Redundancy is not the only option

Simon Kite, a partner at chartered accountants Saffery Champness, offers some tips on how to cut costs but avoid the redundancy route.

Employing & managing staff

Minimum working age

What is the legal age for a young person to work on a building site?

Employing & managing staff

Training: the key to retaining staff

Learning on the job can lead to a more motivated and productive workforce and enable your staff to keep up with the latest trends in areas such as technology and people management.

Employing & managing staff

Redundancy: softening the blow

It is never easy making someone you know redundant. But it can be even harder when you've worked closely with them in a small business environment.

Employing & managing staff

Who pays for training?

As an employer, am I legally bound to pay for training courses for employees or can I get them to pay for it?

Employing & managing staff

Apprentice redundancy

I have just sacked an 18-year-old apprentice who has worked with me for over a year. I am concerned I did not follow the correct procedure, what rights does he have for unfair dismissal?

Employing & managing staff

Seven ways to beat stress

Michael Jackson, chairman of leading technology venture capitalist Elderstreet Investments, gives SmallBusiness.co.uk his tips for dealing with stress.

Employing & managing staff

Apprentice redundancy

I have just sacked an 18-year-old apprentice who has worked with me for over a year. I am concerned I did not follow the correct procedure, what rights does he have for unfair dismissal?

Employing & managing staff

Seven ways to beat stress

Michael Jackson, chairman of leading technology venture capitalist Elderstreet Investments, gives SmallBusiness.co.uk his tips for dealing with stress.

Employing & managing staff

Holiday entitlement for new employees

When you employ new staff, you may wonder how soon they can begin to take holiday. SmallBusines.co.uk clears the issue up.

Employing & managing staff

Navigate the employee pension scheme maze

Last year the levy for the Pension Protection Fund - designed to provide security for employees whose pension schemes are inadequately funded - was forecast to be £300 million.

Employing & managing staff