When you are a business owner, you will want to do everything possible to try and ensure that you do not get taken to an employment tribunal. They are not only time-consuming to deal with, and there is also the expense and the bad publicity it generates. You may find that you struggle to attract the top talent to your business because of employment tribunals, so it is something that you will want to avoid.
Below are some steps that you can take to help you avoid going through this and ensure you provide an excellent environment and fair conditions for your workers.
Understand Your Obligations Under The Law
One of the best ways to protect your company against lawsuits is knowing and understanding the law and ensuring your company follows the rules. It can be a veritable minefield employment law, and as such, you may need an HR department fully versed in employment law and understands it fully. If you do not have the legal expertise in-house, you may need to outsource this to a reputable company. There are lots of firms offering early conciliation advice for employers, so you should be able to find a suitable company to help you adhere to the law.
Give New Employees A Probation Period
Probation periods can work for both parties, and they are an excellent way to tell if an employee will fit in with your business. It is also ideal for the employee to see if the company is the correct fit for them, so probation periods can help to protect both parties. It is also vital to have consultations with the probationary worker throughout their probation period. Doing so can help you get feedback about your business and the employee to see if they are a good fit or not, and you want to give them every opportunity to excel.
Sometimes employees start slowly, and you are unsure about their capabilities. Still, they can turn into the most productive employee and become an asset to your company with the correct approach, so it is worth trying.
Ensure Contracts & Documents Are Correct
You will need to go through your employment contracts and documents with a fine-toothed comb to ensure everything is above board. When setting out your employment contracts, there are many free resources that you can use online, and you should use one of the many free templates you can get. If you use the services of an HR company such as Avensure, they can also assist you with this process and ensure everything is legal and adheres to the law.
Document Everything
When dealing with your employees, you must document everything thoroughly, which can help protect you from lawsuits. Whenever there is a performance review, discipline, or training, ensure that everything is documented and signed by the employee and a company representative. It is also vital to keep in mind that sometimes things go wrong, and you need to use them as learning experiences. If you find yourself in a situation where something has gone awry, seek legal advice immediately and do your utmost to resolve the problem.
About The Author
Nicole Hinton
Nicole is a freelancer & passionate blogger. She has 4+ years of experience in digital marketing and specialize in content writing, content marketing and organic search engine optimization. She has worked with many brands from Canada as well as the USA. Currently, she manages content marketing team of freelancers and doing their business efficiently.
