A Manager's Guide to Becoming an Employer for the First Time

Ena HR & Training supporting your people strategy

Whether you're hiring your first employee or scaling your team, transitioning from manager to employer is a big and exciting step!

This guide is designed to walk you through the essentials to enable you to build a strong foundation as a responsible, confident, and forward-thinking employer.

Laying the Groundwork

Before you hire:

• Understand Legal Obligations

  Register as an employer with HMRC, set up PAYE, and stay compliant with employment laws like minimum wage, working hours, and holiday entitlement.

• Create Key Policies

  Draft policies for recruitment, health and safety, grievances, and disciplinary procedures. You’ll need these in place before onboarding.

• Sort Payroll and Pensions:

  Choose a payroll system and understand auto-enrolment pension duties. You must offer a workplace pension to eligible employees.

Hiring with Confidence

When recruiting:

• Define the Role Clearly

  Create a detailed job description outlining responsibilities, required skills, and reporting lines.

• Conduct Fair Recruitment

  Avoid bias, follow equal opportunity standards, and document the selection process.

• Offer Letters and Contracts

  Provide written terms of employment within two months. Ensuring you key details like pay, hours, job title, and notice periods.

  
  

Onboarding Like a Pro

Once they've accepted:

• Set Up for Success

  Prepare their workspace, tech access, and any tools they need.

• Provide a Structured Induction

  Cover company culture, policies, their role, and introduce them to the team.

• Assign a Buddy or Mentor

  A designated colleague can help your new hire feel supported in their early weeks.

Leading and Supporting Your Team

• Book in regular one to ones and give regular feedback

  Encourage performance and development with ongoing, constructive conversations.

• Create a Positive Culture

  Promote transparency, collaboration, and recognition.

• Be Accessible and Fair

  Good employers listen, guide, and remain approachable during both easy and tough times.

  
  

Behind the scenes

• Keep Accurate Records

  Track pay, absence, performance reviews, and any formal proceedings.

• Review Contracts and Policies Annually

  Update them to reflect changes in law or company needs.

• Stay Informed

  Employment law evolves—subscribe to industry newsletters or HR updates.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Becoming an employer isn’t just about hiring, it’s a chance for you to expand and shape your culture. Creating a safe, inclusive and empowering place to work.

You won’t know everything on day one but what is most important is your commitment to learning, listening, and leading with integrity.

How we can help

It doesn’t matter the size of your business the obligations as an employer remain the same, however we can tailor our package to suit your needs.

Whether its ad hoc support with questions or issues or more regular and comprehensive retained support where we can be onsite to provide in house HR provision, we will always provide consistent, friendly and practical advice to ensure you stay compliant.

Here are some great links which will provide you with additional information to support you on your journey:

Breathe HR – No matter the size of your business, Breathe HR can support you to keep all your HR documentation in a safe, secure and easily accessible area. Providing benefits such as annual leave booking systems, ability to track sickness and the ability to upload any HR documentation – Breathe HR really is a great ‘People investment’ https://www.breathehr.com/

Hireful – Fantastic hires without the admin mayhem with hireful ATS and agency support. Recruitment Software & ATS Providers - hireful.com Ena HR can support you with your recruitment using this amazing software and team.

Personnel today – Gives free access to a range of e-newsletters to keep you aware of any changes in the law Registration

US! Ena HR can support you with your first or 100^th employee. Sign up to our monthly newsletter to keep up to date with UK employment law and contact us today if we can help in any way. CONTACT | Ena HR & Training