Guidance

Employ people

Find out what you need to do when you hire, pay and manage staff.

Overview

Employers have legal duties from the time they recruit staff. These include fair recruitment, record keeping, pay, tax, workplace safety and employment rights.

Recruit staff

Write a clear job description and use a fair selection process. Give successful applicants a written statement of their main terms of employment.

Make required checks

Check that each worker has the right to work before employment begins. You may also need background checks or professional registration for particular roles.

Pay your employees

Register as an employer where required and operate payroll. Pay at least the applicable minimum wage, give payslips and report pay and deductions through the appropriate service.

Meet workplace duties

Provide a safe workplace, consider pension duties and respect rights to leave, rest and fair treatment. Keep employment records and deal with concerns promptly.