Managing Staff

Articles and guides on managing staff as a UK small business. Effective staff management encompasses various responsibilities, including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and motivation.

Legal advice

New starter left after a week to take another job

I have a new starter who worked with us for a week before leaving to take another job. During this week he was in full time on-the-job training. Do we have to pay him? Can we just pay him minimum wage if so?

Finding and selling to customers

Sunday trading restrictions: How changes affect SMEs

Ben Williams, barrister at Kings Chambers, discusses how small businesses can prepare for the mooted loosening of Sunday trading restrictions.

Legal advice

Do I have to pay staff if I can’t open?

We run a small coffee shop. We had mechanical failure at work. We were unable to open so had no income. Our Saturday assistant demanded paying for the day or she would take us to court. What can I do?

News

SMEs to be wary of Grand National sweepstakes

Millions of workers across the UK could unwittingly break the law by taking part in a Grand National sweepstake, according to a prominent solicitor.

News

Blue Mondays

Workers are turning to antidepressants as a consequence of challenging market conditions.

News

Small firms face ‘difficulties’ in taking a dispute to tribunal

Taking a dispute at work to an employment tribunal will 'definitely be more difficult' for employees and employers in small businesses compared with a larger company, according to an industry expert.

Business management

Handling interruptions

Busy owners of small businesses can be beset by constant interruptions: colleagues asking questions or presenting emergencies; pestering from overzealous salesmen; calls from customers and suppliers, and many more. Here are some tips and hints on dealing with interruptions.

Employing & managing staff

Dealing with workplace relationships

Workplace relationships do happen, unsurprisingly when you consider how much time is spent at work by many in the UK.

Legal advice

Legal entitlement to taking breaks

What is the legal entitlement to breaks relating to hours worked?

News

World Cup to cost business billions

Workers wanting the latest on Rooney’s foot, Owen’s fitness, Crouch’s robot dance and all the other important World Cup news could cost UK businesses almost £4 billion through non-productive internet use, according to employment law experts.

News

Cut out World Cup sickies

On 9 June, the football World Cup kicks off and, judging by previous major sporting events, the number of sickies being taken will rise sharply, causing grief for small businesses up and down the country.

News