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Guides & Tips

Guide to written statements of employment

Every employee should be given a written statement of employment that clearly lays down the rules that both you, as the employer, and they must abide by.

Avoid discrimination headaches

Business owners have to be extremely careful not to discriminate on grounds of age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and many, many more.

How to avoid unfair dismissal claims

Dismissing an employee can be a difficult area to tackle for employers. This guide from SmallBusiness.co.uk gives an overview of the basics to help you avoid paying any unnecessary compensation and explains the basis for claims of ‘unfair’ dismissal.

Don't Miss

Redundancy is not the only option

Many SMEs will have to control staffing costs over the coming months. Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Simon Kite, a partner at chartered accountants Saffery Champness, to offer some tips on how to cut costs and avoid the redundancy route

Recruiting for a small business

The recruitment process can seem daunting if it’s your first time, especially given the importance of hiring the right staff.

Webchat: The employer's apprentice

Stephen Gardner, director of apprenticeships at the Learning and Skills Council and Gina Mcdowell, finalist in the Large Employer of the Year category of the Apprenticeship Awards in 2006, are taking part in a live webchat to educate employers about recruiting apprentices for business success.

Employing Staff News

SMEs lacking pension schemes

The vast majority of SMEs do not offer workplace pension schemes, according to a survey by advisory body the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA).

SMEs lacking pension schemes

The vast majority of SMEs do not offer workplace pension schemes, according to a survey by advisory body the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA).

No minimum wage increase, urges business group

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to recommend a zero per cent increase on the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Firms 'should consider long-term cost of redundancies'

Firms should consider the ultimate cost of redundancies and use them as a last resort to cut outgoings, after it was revealed it comes at a price of over £16,000 per employee.

Office workers lie for boss

The majority of office workers have admitted to lying on behalf of their manager, with many taking the heat for a managerial mistake.

Pensions 'not deciding factor'

Companies may no longer need to offer attractive pension and employee benefit packages as jobseekers do not see it as a determining factor, according to one group.

Unemployment hits 10-year high

The number of people out of work reached 1.86 million in the last quarter - the highest levels since 1997.

Regulation halts hiring

Regulation surrounding employing staff is putting small firms off hiring new people, despite the candidates being out there, an organisation warns.

Companies 'should focus on staff skills'

The current climate makes it more critical for businesses to invest in developing people and increasing their skills.

Safety representatives 'key' for businesses

Safety representatives are crucial to achieving successful health and safety in the workplace, the watchdog's boss says.

Bosses should help fight staff obesity

Employers should help staff battle obesity with healthy eating options, as it will lead to a more productive workforce.

Events Calendar

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

Don’t go a day longer than you have to

Every day without gas or electricity is a day without revenue. But with British Gas Business, we can have you open for business – fast. Call 0845 073 3843 or visit connectionsandmetering.co.uk.

Contracts of employment Resource Centre

Buy employment contracts

Buy employment contracts and all other employment documents on this site.

Legal obligations

This guide lays out your legal obligations when employing staff.

Conrtact definitions

This site provides a concise definition of contracts of employment as well as information about other related topics.

Master employment contract

Buy an employment contract suitable for permanent, fixed-term or temporary employees, which meets the requirements of UK Employment legislation.

Employment contracts

This site features information on different aspects of employment contracts and your obligations as an employer.

A guide to contracts of employment

This site features all the necessary information about contracts of employment.

Employment contract information

This section of the Directgov website provides information on employment contracts and conditions.

More Contracts of employment Resources

Other Employing Staff Resources

Polls

Video

Fivium - The challenges of growth

Matthew Fletcher of IT systems company Fivium talks about the challenges of being part of a fast-growing business.

"The business is out there"

Entrepreneur Neil O'Connell has built his business , Sulis Interiors, up from nothing.

"There's no such thing as failure, only feedback"

The challenges David Ferry faced when starting and growing his business, Ferry Financial.

Flexible working: the leaders' view

At the 2008 Work Wise UK Summit, BT Business asked a number of leaders for their views on flexible working.

Blogs

Trying to hire staff

Marc Barber 11/12/2008

There’s no getting round the fact that great ideas are always made or ruined by other people. Have your say »

Credit crunch: What does it mean for you?

Penny Proffit 25/01/2008

In the current global economic climate, small business owners are likely to be concerned about the consequences of the credit crunch. Penny Proffit has teamed up with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to bring you ten quick tips for survival. Have your say »

Basic building block of any Internet marketing campaign

Guest Blogger 07/07/2008

For almost all sectors of commerce today, the Internet, or more specifically the World Wide Web, is now a key tool for business. In the field of marketing in particular it has become crucial. (1 comments) Have your say »

Q&A

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Small business guidance

Marc Barber, SmallBusiness.co.uk

137 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Financial need to reduce staff hours Q: Employers obligation to pay SSP to employee Q: Minimum working age Q: Training records Q: Who pays for training? Q: Rights over email accounts Q: Letting go of a staff member

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