Starting your own business is an extremely exciting career step and there are many things to focus on, with your team being at the top of the list. Developing the business itself and the product or service you offer is quite often mistaken as the main focus but engaging and creating positive working relationships with your staff is the foundation to any successful business.
Our guide, HR for start-ups: what you need to know, will provide you with a greater understanding of what is needed when setting out your employment strategy and how to avoid unnecessary hiccups along the way.
HR is a great ally in the starting of your business and having support from an HR specialist can help you set the groundwork needed. So, how can you make sure you hire the right people and retain those employees?
Recruiting
When it comes to looking for suitable employees, you need to make it very clear what the job actually entails. You may know of people who would love the job or have contacts here, there and everywhere, but you need to choose someone right for your business as a whole.
Look through potential candidates’ CVs to find someone you think has the right mix of skills and personality for the role rather than selecting someone just because you know them.
Employee Contracts
No matter how many employees you take on, the law applies to each and every member of your team. An employee contract defines their relationship to your business and will include the terms and conditions you run your business by, the hours of work, pay, holidays, overtime, place of work, sick pay, pension etc.
You and your employee will both have expectations and by providing a professional and formal contract, you will both know what obligations need to be met and where the boundaries are.
Policies and procedures
You need to have policies and procedures in place for many aspects of the workplace including disciplinary and grievance policies. These policies will set out how you will manage different situations if they were to arise, so you can be consistent and professional in your approach.
Training and nurturing
If you want your business to develop, you need to be invested in your employee’s progress, knowledge and achievements in the workplace. Don’t assume they know things and ensure you can put training in place so your staff can be the best they can possibly be in their role.
No matter what your business is, it will be defined by your team and how professional your strategies are. You need to get it right from the start if you want to have a growing and profitable business.
If you’re a start-up and are looking to expand your team and welcome new members into your business, get in touch to arrange your no-obligation consultation.
Here at Oculus HR, we can talk you through what is expected when taking on new team members and help you with all the legalities and processes that come hand in hand.
