Taking on Staff

[weddingcrafter]

Having now completed our move, I need to think about hiring staff.

We used an agency temp previously as we knew we were moving - expensive but hassle free.

Initially we will be looking for part-time help (approx 20 hours per week) for fairly unskilled work (picking/packing orders) at a bit above minimum wage. We will be flexible about hours/times.

Does anyone have any advice about:

Recruitment - local papers, job centres (don't want to pay expensive fees)

Payroll - should I try to do it myself, wading through the piles the IR have sent or is it cost effective to outsource it.

Contracts - can you find templates for these.

Things to watch out for!

Sorry, its a bit long but your advice/experience will be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Jayne]

Hi,

If you take a couple of staff on under the NI Tax limit, you get much less hassle paper work wize. Plus if one is off sick, the other could cover. I employ an accountant who does all the wage slips and records for me, it's not very expensive and then you get no paperwork. :D

If you ring your local job centre, it's free and they usually sort you some staff out. I just put a note in my shop window and never had to look that far, they usually come to you.

Jayne :D

[Stephen]

Hi

I'd definitely think about getting someone else (such as your accountant) to do your payroll. It's easy if you know what you're doing, but the paperwork's soul destroying if you're not familiar with it!

Quite a few of our clients are people who are taking on their first employees, so I'd be more than happy to have a chat with you if you'd like - just drop me a PM. No pressure, of course, but now's a great time to get the paperwork in order!

I'd definitely suggest you avoid 'free' contracts or using someone elses, as they should include quite a bit about how you want to work. Again, this is something I can offer some advice on if you wish.

Best wishes,
Steve

[clairemackaness]

Hi,

Ex recruitment consultant and careers advisor here (LOL).

1) Dont use agencies they rip you off, good at what they do and effective, but you are just paying them for what you can do yourself

2) Jobcentre plus will take your vacancy for free, there is also a good opportunity that they will have part-time people. The quality of candidate is never very good I might add, but if they dont need much skill as long as they are reliable thats all you need to worry about

3) go to www.reed.co.uk it is free to post vacancies on here and I always found it very effective

4) I can help you with a contract of employment if you get desperate

5) Payroll.....dont go there, for the cost of an accountant a couple of hours once a month it's not worth the hassle. Dont use an accountancy firm though they too are very expensive. A part-time book keeper should be able to do basic payroll for you and they will only charge per hour. Look in the classified of your local paper.

6) advertising in the paper is fine, but just go for lineage, dont waste your money on box ads. Part-timers look at lineage forst should only be between £13-£18 for a week. Pick a good paper though like a weekly gazette not a freebie

7) you cant beat the sweet shop window for part time staff or word of mouth at the school gates.

Good luck, any advice needed feel free to PM me.

Claire

[Alpha]

With regards to payroll if you have no experience in doing it yourself I would advise that you outsource it.

Talk to someone like BMS via Pm and he will be able to give you a reasonable quote for doing the work.

[BMS]

Hi

I'd be happy to discuss your payroll as Alpha says, just sen me a PM or give me a ring on 07963 518762.

Paul Russell

[weddingcrafter]

Thanks everyone for your input - some really useful tips here.

I'm just having a manic few days at the moment but will be putting together my recruitment plan later this week.... so will PM those who have kindly offered help then.

[Russ]

Hi

I have sent you a pm regarding advertising on www.appointdirect.com

:-)

[autolycus]

Contracts - can you find templates for these.


If you want something a little more comprehensive than free contract templates try here: www.employee-contracts.co.uk

Dave.