Originally written by Partner Content on Small Business
As a small business owner, your legal responsibilities when taking on staff can be somewhat daunting but with a little help you can soon understand what’s needed.
When you start taking on employees you will be faced with a fair amount of legal responsibilities. It’s important you understand all your obligations as an employer as if you don’t comply with UK employment law you can easily find yourself in front of an employment tribunal.
One of your first duties as a new employer is to ensure you comply with employment contract law.
See also: Five areas of employment law small businesses must be aware of
Full-time contracts
Employees are legally entitled to a written statement of the main terms and conditions of employment if their employment contract lasts at least one month or more.
You, the employer, must provide the written statement within two calendar months of the employee starting work.
There are a number of things which an employment contract must include as legal requirements. These requirements are specified in the Employment Rights Act 1996. An employment contract must include:
The name of the employer and the employee
The employee’s start date, taking into consideration previous periods of employment which are counted
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