Your business has reached the stage where employees are a must. You’ve tried your best to steer the ship on your own, but now you need to put together a crew as you sail towards the promised land.
This is both an exciting and scary situation. It demonstrates that your company is profitable with plenty of scope for growth. Yet by taking such a drastic step, you know that bringing employees on board could make or break your business venture.
Remember the following points before hiring your first employees to give yourself the best chance of success.
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Make your job description clear
A clear job description is essential for attracting the right type of person for your business. Your description needs to highlight the type of skills required for the job, along with the relevant experience they should possess.
The job description also has to be clear from your end. Note the type of wage you’re willing to pay, the benefits they will receive if hired, and why they should work for your company.
The recruitment process
The recruitment process is all about pulling out the quality hires from the sea of mediocrity. While someone’s CV might sing all the right notes, the story might be entirely different under the surface. As a result, ensure you do your due diligence in viewing the background of any prospective employees.
If you ask the right questions, the interview can also tell you a lot about your candidates. While it’s understandable for them to display nervousness, you need to check they know what they’re talking about and fully understand what the role entails.
Consider providing health insurance
If you operate a small business with fewer than 50 employees, there’s no legal requirement to provide health insurance. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t offer health insurance to your employees. After all, there are numerous benefits gained from doing so. This includes making your workers happier, healthier, and less likely to walk out the door if an alternative job opportunity presents itself.
One stumbling block with providing health insurance is cost. Yet if you take the time to look at health insurance for companies that offer the best combination of value and coverage, it likely won’t be as expensive as you envisioned.
Understand employee rights
Various rights legally protect employees. If you fail to meet any of these, it could land your business in hot water. Common rights include:
- Terms of employment
- Working hours
- Pay
- Discrimination
- Workplace conditions
This means if you, say, fail to pay an employee the minimum wage, or you create a hazardous work environment that leads to injury, this could end up being a financial pitfall for your business.
Be clear about expectations
A healthy employer-employee relationship is built on trust, honesty, and respect. This can be achieved if both parties are clear about their goals and expectations. From day one, define what you expect of them from their role. Also, let them know what they will receive in return from your business.
Read also: Why it’s Important to Keep Your Employees Safe at Work