What do I need to do about taking on my very first employee?

[DeepRedBetty]

Hi, I run a dog walking/pet care agency. I'm registered self employed, and so is everyone else who I've sent work to so far. However, I've had a volunteer coming with me for a few months now, a very nice, sensible young woman who would like to work with animals. She has been in receipt of sickness benefit during her recovery from an illness, but is now ready, indeed desperate, to rejoin the workforce etc.

I cannot justify taking her on full time, as I simply can't provide enough work, but I would like to employ her for about two hours every weekday, more in the school holidays. I would like to offer her terms that will not affect her ability to claim benefits to make up the shortfall in her income, although I know she intends to try and get other part time work.

Anyone been in anything like this position before? Any ideas of good websites to visit for advice? Are there such things as freelance HR consultants who specialise in this sort of thing?

All help much appreciated!

Bumping in a hopeful way.

I don't know the legals ins and outs but can she work as self employed? Otherwise I think you will need all types of insurances, payroll etc. Although I recommend checking what you would need to have in place if you have someone working self employed for you as I am not sure if you need anything or not. I know my husband is allowed to pay someone for casual labour without any extra hassle.

I would check out an employment law website - e.g., CHAPS is it? Go through that big list of employers obligations and ask yourself if you can afford it. If you say you can't employ her more than 2 hours a day it doesn't sound to me as though you can afford an employee with all the benefits and rights of entitlement. What would you do if she got pregnant? Not just maternity pay but she might not be up to dragging dogs around the park on a daily basis either.

When you employ someone you are entering a whole big potential minefield leading to tribunals and the like if you get it wrong.

It's great you're trying to help a friend - bit cover your own back too. Employing friends and family is a recipe for disaster ad they're notorious piss-takers!

I would encourage her to be self employed. The cost to you for insurance , NI, PAYE services etc is to much for those little hours i would say. Check ACAS for advice

Thanks everyone. I hadn't thought of maternity pay, and I'm pretty certain that's something she and her dp would like to happen soon.

Am seeing her later this morning, will discuss it and ask her to ask about self employment when she goes in to see JobCentre people. Rules seem to change every five minutes grrrr!