Bringing new people onto your team is an exciting step. But with the excitement comes some important legal responsibilities you’ll want to get right from the start. Doing so helps build good working relationships and keeps your business on the right side of the law.

First up, every employee you hire needs a written employment agreement. This isn’t just a box to tick. It’s a document that spells out the main details of the job, like what they’ll be doing, how much they’ll get paid, their hours, leave entitlements, and how either side can end things if needed. Having this agreement in place protects everyone by making sure you’re both clear on what to expect. And it’s better to tailor it to the role than just grab a generic template off the internet.

Then there are workplace policies. These might sound boring, but clear policies on things like health and safety, discrimination, leave, and how you handle problems or complaints keep your workplace fair and respectful. They help everyone know where they stand and what’s expected.

Aside from agreements and policies, there are a few other basics to keep in mind. You’ll need to manage retirement savings contributions for your staff, stick to minimum wage and working hours rules, keep good records about pay and leave, and respect your employees’ privacy when it comes to their personal information.

Employment law can feel a bit overwhelming, but that’s why getting some legal help early on can pay off big time. A lawyer can make sure your agreements and policies cover all the important points and match your business’s needs, helping you avoid headaches down the track.

At Owen Culliney Law, we’ve helped plenty of employers get their hiring sorted properly, so they can focus on what they do best – growing their business and supporting their people.

Hiring staff is a big step, but getting your legal ducks in a row makes it a whole lot smoother.