Where to start when employing people

By DRN Solicitors

14 Feb 2018

Employing people for the first time can be an exciting time for your business. There are, however, a range of considerations that need your attention, and certain legal requirements that you need to adhere to.

Here we will address the key steps that you need to take…

Job description

First and foremost, you need to write a job description. This should detail all the key tasks you will be expecting the employee to carry out. It should detail the experience and attributes that you are looking for in your new employee, and detail the package they will get in return. Include details of how to apply and what an applicant should provide with their application, such as a CV.

If you already have found your new employee, it is still prudent to provide them with a full job description, so that expectations are clear from the outset.

Wages

It is at your discretion whether to include the wage structure in the job description. However, you will need to decide in advance what you intend to pay your new employee. You need to make sure that you pay at least the National Minimum Wage. Contact us for more information regarding the National Minimum Wage. The rules vary, depending on the type of the employment and the employee’s personal status.

Check the employee’s status

You need to make sure that all employees have the legal right to work in the UK.

Background check

In addition to checking the employee has the right to work, you may also want to do a DBS check, formerly a CRB check, to ensure that your new employee doesn’t have a criminal past. This might be particularly appropriate if the work involves dealing with vulnerable people or dealing with sensitive affairs.

Insurance

You will need to get employers liability insurance as soon as you employ someone. Cover should be for at least £5m and be provided by an authorised insurer.

Contract of employment

A written statement of employment is needed for all employees that are to be contracted for one month or more.

We recommend that you provide every employee with a formal written contract of employment to protect the interests of your business. The employee will also know exactly what is expected of them. The contract should detail: employment conditions rights responsibilities duties Your contracts need to be drawn up in line with employment law, and equally, they need to protect your business against rogue employees.

We can draft your employment contracts for you, protecting your business against potential fines, loss of reputation, and a lot of unwanted hassle and expense. Contact our Employment Law Team today on 01282 433 241 to get started.

Register as an employer

You will need to register your business as an employer with HMRC. This must be done before the first pay day and can take a few weeks, so it is important to do this quickly. However, you are unable to register more than two months before you first pay an employee.

Therefore, we would advise that you set yourself a reminder to notify HMRC at the right time for your business.

Pensions

Under new government rules, you may have to automatically enrol your employees into a workplace pension. You can read the government guidelines to identify whether you need to do this or not here: www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions-employers

Further advice

At DRN, our Employment Law Team have a wealth of experience in helping growing businesses get to grips with employment law. We can help you to get the right processes in place to protect your business, both legally and financially, when you start employing people. Call the team today on 01282 433 241 and make your future an abundant one.

Latest news

1

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant Barnfield team on new Kerakoll site

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant

27 Jun 2025

2

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light Cubico

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light

26 Jun 2025

3

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes Ravenhead

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes

26 Jun 2025

4

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business Conlon celebrating its first EOT Day with family at Ribby Hall Village

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business

26 Jun 2025

5

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders Northcoders skills support

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders

26 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin