Human Resources

People are the most important resource a business has and can have a direct affect on the success or failure of a business. Whilst people are the most important asset they are also the most difficult to manage and the easiest to lose. Managing people successfully is therefore a critical aspect for a company. Employees are the ones who will help you achieve objectives, deilver results and be successful. The concept of employing staff originated after the industrial revolution and eventually, as employments needs and laws changed, developed into the Personnal Function. Today employment law has become far more complex and the employment relationship has become mutually dependant as staff have more choice of employment, managing people is often referred to as Human Resource Management (HRM).

There are good practical reasons for considering the way we manage staff, people need to be looked after, trained and invested in. This in itself will bring commitment from the employee, but in addition you will have a valuable resource that is as effective and useful as it can be to your business. This might seem somewhat callous, but it is essential that you consider people with the same level of priority you would give to a valuable piece of machinery and ensure regular 'servicing' takes place.

In addition to the multiple reasons for effective management we live in an increasingly litigious society, employees are very aware of what their rights are and what they can do if an employer is not fulfilling those rights. Therefore it is essential that as a new business you have the correct policies and precedures in place from the first time you employ people. It is easier to get this right in the first place than end up at an employment tribunual because you 'didn't know'. This would not be considered by an Employment Tribunal as an acceptable defence. In addition Employment Tribunals are lengthy and costly.

You can create the perfect team, which will take your business to success, if you invest in your workforce.

Useful Resources

An Introduction to Employment Regulations There is now a multitude of employment laws that you must follow when employing staff. This factsheet provides a summary of the main regulations you need to know about and explains what you must do to comply with them. By Scavenger.

A Guide to Writing a Statement of Employment -  This factsheet describes what needs to go into a statement of employment, when it should be provided and how changes can be made. It includes hints and tips as well as sources of further information. By Scavenger

A Checklist when Advertising for Staff - A clearly written and carefully designed advert, placed in the most appropriate medium, is essential in finding the best applicants for the position. This checklist will help you ensure that your advert is effective, accurate, professional and, most importantly, compliant with anti-discrimination legislation. By Scavenger. 

A Guide for First Time Employers - This factsheet gives you an overview of the main issues you need to address, including the recruitment process, an introduction to the legal and tax issues involved in employing staff, and how to manage staff to get the best results. By Scavenger.

Choosing and Using a Recruitment Agency - This factsheet describes how to find the right recruitment agency for your needs. It also explains how to work with your chosen agency to ensure you get the best service for the money you spend. By Scavenger.

An Introduction to Recruiting Staff - This factsheet provides a step-by-step guide to the recruitment process to help you develop a policy that is right for your business. It contains useful hints and tips as well as sources of further information. By Scavenger.

A Guide to References for Employees - This factsheet looks at the implications of seeking and providing references and gives best practice guidelines on obtaining and providing references. By Scavenger