Employing People

While you are operating as a sole trader or partnership you have complete control over the service provided to customers at all stages. Once you start employing staff you lose some of this control and become dependent on others to project the right image, ensure standards are kept up and that service is exemplary. Your people are ambassadors for your business, if they clearly relish their work and trust the business for which they work then that positive attitude is soon picked favourably by customers. The reverse is also true.

Ensuring that your staff are an asset to the business requires both basic compliance with employment law and investment in your staff as people.

As with other aspects of legislation VisitEngland provides excellent guidance for tourism businesses on employment law through The Pink Book Online

The main topics you need to consider are:

Working Hours Guidance on maximum working hours, holiday entitlement and record keeping

National Minimum Wage Minimum wages required at different ages

Discrimination Compliance with the Equality act 2010

Time off for Parents Covers maternity and paternity leave and flexible working

Migrant Workers Workers from overseas are crucial to the tourism industry but make sure you follow the guidance on rights to work documentation.

Employing under 18s Special requirements for employing under 18s

The employment and law section of the Great Business website is another valuable tool if you are employing people for the first time. It covers employment contracts, National Insurance and PAYE.

Recruitment

A key aspect of employing the right people is taking the time to get the recruitment process right. Here are some aspects to consider

  • What exactly do you want the staff member to do? Have you prepared a job description?
  • What sort of qualities does your applicant need? How important is their ‘attitude’ ? What are your priorities for aptitude, experience, skills or adaptability?
  • Is the position full or part time, permanent or seasonal?
  • Are there any special qualifications required?
  • How will you find your applicants – job centre, newspaper, recruitment websites, local contacts

For more advice you could look at the ACAS guide to recruiting staff