What are the common frequently asked HR questions in small businesses?
💼 HR FAQs: Breaking It Down for You!
1. What is HR, and what do they actually do?
Think of HR as your people powerhouse! 🚀 HR takes care of everything from hiring your dream team to waving them off if they move on to new adventures. Here’s a quick peek at what HR handles:
Hiring (finding the right people!)
Onboarding & Induction (getting them settled in)
Training & Development (helping them grow)
Recognition & Rewards (celebrating their wins)
Legal Compliance (staying on the right side of the law)
Employee Relations (keeping everyone happy)
Offboarding (ending on a high note!)
Strategy, Analytics, and all that admin stuff!
2. Why bother with HR for a small business?
HR isn’t just for big companies. Here’s why having an HR expert can save your sanity:
You get more time to focus on growing your biz.
No more Googling "How to write a contract" at midnight!
Legally sound processes that protect you.
A smooth hiring and onboarding process to build a dream team.
Happier employees who stick around longer. 🎉
3. Contracts and handbooks Are they worth it?
Absolutely. Contracts = clear roles and expectations. Handbooks = consistent policies. Together, they make life easier and your business more professional. They also help create a safer, happier, and more productive workplace.
4. I only have one team member. Do I still need this stuff?
Yep! Even with one employee, it’s important to get the basics right—contracts show you value them and set clear guidelines. Plus, legal updates mean it’s better to be safe than sorry. Not ready for a full handbook? No problem. Let’s start with a solid contract.
5. Do I have to give my employee a contract?
Yes! Legally, you must provide a Statement of Terms and Conditions within 8 weeks of their start date.
6. What about checking an employee’s right to work in the UK?
Yes, you must check this. Review their UK passport, birth certificate, or visa. Be aware of any restrictions on spousal or student visas regarding the type of work or hours allowed.
7. Can I treat full-time and part-time employees differently?
Nope! It’s against the law to treat part-time employees less favorably. Benefits like pay should be pro-rata based on hours worked.
8. What’s the deal with dismissing employees—any process I need to follow?
Yes, always follow your company’s disciplinary or redundancy procedures. Even if they’ve been with you under two years, best practice is key to avoid tribunal claims.
9. How much holiday are employees entitled to?
By law, it’s 28 days (including bank holidays) or 5.6 weeks for full-time staff, pro-rated for part-timers. You can offer more if you want to attract top talent!
10. Can I tell employees when to take holiday?
Yes, you can, as long as it’s reasonable and non-discriminatory. However, it’s often better to encourage employees to spread their holiday across the year.
11. Can an employee take their holiday during garden leave?Yes, as long as they give notice and it fits within their notice period. They still accrue holiday during this time, so keep that in mind.
12. Do I have to offer sick pay?
Yes, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a legal requirement from day four of absence. You can also offer enhanced sick pay if you want.
13. What HR policies should I start with?
Start small and build as you grow. Must-haves include:
Health & Safety
Holiday Policy
Absence Policy
Sickness Policy
Disciplinary & Grievance Policy
Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy
Additional policies
• Capability Policy
• Flexible Working Policy
• Maternity  Leave Policy
• Adoption Leave Policy
• Paternity Leave Policy
• Shared Parental Leave Policy Â
• Pregnancy Loss Policy
• Carer’s Leave
• Harassment & Bullying Policy
• Social Media Policy
• Whistleblowing Policy.
14. Struggling with HR stuff?
Let’s chat! I’m here to make HR simple for you. Book a quick call with me here: https://go.oncehub.com/SallyBrandon
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