Employing people: a small business guide
Everything you need to know about taking on staff — in plain English.
Most people don't go into business to get tangled up in HR. You started yours because you're good at what you do. But as things grow, the day comes when you can't do it all on your own — and suddenly you're facing contracts, payroll, pensions and a stack of rules nobody warned you about.
This free guide walks you through the whole journey of employing someone, from your very first hire right through to someone moving on. Each part is a practical, plain-English read, and you can start at the beginning or jump to the bit you need. It's written for small businesses across the North East and beyond, and it's kept up to date as the law changes. Here's what's covered:
PART ONE
Employing your first employee: the overview
What it really means to take someone on — the real cost, the legal basics you need from day one, and a checklist before you start.
PART TWO
Recruitment: finding the right person
How to write the role, advertise it, shortlist fairly and interview well, while staying on the right side of discrimination law.
PART THREE
The offer and getting set up
The offer, the contract, right to work checks, PAYE, pensions and insurance — everything to sort before your new starter begins.
PART FOUR
Induction: a good first few weeks
How to welcome someone well, set clear expectations, make good use of probation, and help a new starter settle in and find their feet.
COMING SOON
Performance management
Setting expectations, holding regular one-to-ones, giving honest feedback, developing your people and tackling underperformance early.
COMING SOON
Grievance and discipline
What to do when things go wrong — following a fair process, keeping good records and staying on the right side of the Acas Code.
COMING SOON
When someone leaves
Handling resignations, dismissals, redundancy and references — every kind of goodbye done properly, and how to protect your business.
Here to help, whenever you need it.
That's the whole journey of employing someone, from first hire to final goodbye. There's a fair bit to it — but taken a step at a time, none of it is beyond you.
At HiThrive, we're business consultants first and foremost — we help owners build better, more resilient businesses. That includes making sense of what employing people involves, thinking it through for your particular situation, and pointing you towards specialist HR or legal advice when that's what's needed. And if you'd like the payroll and bookkeeping that come with taking on staff taken off your hands, we can help there too.