When the time comes to bring on your first employee, it’s a sign that your business is becoming busy and successful. After all, you need some help to manage everything you need to do throughout the day. You’re also likely to be making enough of a profit to hire someone at least part time — and that’s a good sign for your ongoing budget. But before you put out a job advert for the first time, there’s 3 things you might need to do before you get anywhere near the interview stage.
By Team Savant
Image: Vitaly Gariev
Update Your Business Status
You’ve been operating as a one-person business for such a long time now, and you might not realise how different it’ll be to become the boss for the first time. And this starts with the very foundation of your business, as you’ll need to update your operating status before welcoming an employee for the first time.
In the UK, for example, you’ll need to let HMRC know that you’re aiming to become an employer. This means registering as an employer and getting your own ‘PAYE’ number.
And this is crucial to make sure of, as without one, you won’t be able to pay any of your employees. Another reason it’s crucial is so you can pay tax and national insurance on the salary you’ll be paying your employee, so it’s best to get this set up ASAP.
Take a Management Course
If you’ve never managed anyone before, you probably aren’t as ready for the task of being the boss as you might think. It’s a skill, much like everything else in the business world. And that’s something you’ll need to brush up on before you take on your first employee.
Not only for them, but to make sure you give yourself the best chance at making a good impression and creating a welcoming, constructive workplace. That’s why you’ll want to pick up some Management Training Courses at this point in time, as this will at least make you more aware of any gaps in your management style.
Get Ready for Health and Safety
Once you’ve got another person working in your business with you, you’ll need to make sure they’re able to work safely. And even though you haven’t run into any issues yourself, you’re now responsible for your employee’s health while they’re on site.
That’s why you need to make sure you’ve conducted a risk assessment and have a proper health and safety policy in place.
Trust us when we tell you that it’s more than possible for even a simple burn from a break room kettle to be something that could disrupt your working day, require your employee to take a day off, and put your business at risk.
When the time comes to start hiring your own team, make sure you’re ready to bring them onboard and hit the ground flying. Learn management skills, sign up for payrolling, and put a health and safety policy in place.