8 Steps You Can Take In Hiring Your First Employee

As a business grows, there will come a point where everything can’t be done by just one person. Sooner or later, the help of another employee is necessary to further the company’s success. Hiring your first employee can be a vague and daunting task. This action should be dealt with extra caution as it can be costly to commit to another person’s salary and benefits.

Aside from dealing with paperwork such as government registration forms and insurance requirements, it is oftentimes difficult to know what other steps should be done to ensure all obligations are taken care of. Here, we have provided a checklist for new employers to make sure that they start on the right foot as they hire their first employee.

1. Evaluate what the company needs

It is vital to determine what part of your company requires additional manpower. One case that should be assessed is if outsourcing services from freelancers is a more cost-effective option for the business. If the company is still in constant need of that service, then hiring someone for the position would be the next logical step.

Also read: Secrets Of Building A Winning Team For Your Startup

2. Don’t forget to specify responsibilities

Informing potential candidates what the job entails is a must. It is important that they understand what the company expects of them. This will also give potential hires the information they need before they pursue the position. It simply creates a win-win situation for both parties involved.

3. See the person’s ability to do work

Tests are great tools that can be used to determine how capable a candidate is for the job. They can range from knowledge tests to aptitude examinations to skill-based assessments. One might say they are able to perform certain tasks in their resume; these tests are a way to ensure if they can.

4. Remember to keep everyone safe

Thoroughly screening candidates is also a must. They might have be under-qualified, have a substance abuse history, or even be a criminal. Checking prior employment claims, criminal and incarceration records, and credit history are essential in the screening process. Drug-abusing employees are a liability and may cause harm, making it crucial to run specific drug tests such as marijuana testing.

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5. Properly handle legalities and other forms of state policy

It is necessary for companies to be compliant with federal and state regulations. This usually involves a lot of paperwork. Certain states may have variations to the rules, but there is a set of required forms and applications for all states. This must be followed as failing to meet the requirements set by the state may bring the company in a legal predicament in the future.

6. Create or use an employee handbook

A great way to shed light on the company’s employee policies is through an employee handbook. This will show new hires what can and cannot be done in the company. It serves as a guide for workers in case they need to refresh their knowledge regarding company rules. It is also a way to show what the company’s mission, values, and culture is.

7. Just like the others, follow through workplace safety measures

Companies are must act in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This involves making sure that the workplace is safe for employees to work in. This also entails that the government must be notified of serious workplace accidents. That way, the company will not suffer from legal repercussions caused by noncompliance of the OSHA when an accident happens to their new employee.

8. Prepare a training plan for new hires

To ensure that the new hire knows how their job is done, they must be shown the ropes. Devising a training program is an effective way to do so. In this plan, certain tasks and exercises can be laid out for them so their abilities and skills will be put to use as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Hiring your first employee is a big leap for any company. It is best that one is prepared before doing so. This checklist aims to help to-be employers navigate through the blurry haze of legal duties and ethical obligations of hiring their first employee. Hopefully, after having read this, hiring becomes an easier task.