Human resources

When your business is growing and needs staff, you can find the best people for the job with a bit of planning. Consider what skills your business needs, how much work needs to be done and the costs involved.

Work out what support your business needs and how to get it.

Before you take on an employee, find out what pay and conditions they are eligible for.

Employees’ pay and conditions are guided by laws and agreements. Most employees are covered by an award or agreement which outlines the minimum pay and conditions they can be paid. If your business operates in one of these sectors you can follow the conditions outlined in these agreements.

Check your business is meeting all its responsibilities to your employees..

Superannuation is money you put aside for your workers to help fund their retirement.

Find out about superannuation obligations for employers and employees.

You can set your new employees up for success with some key steps:

• agreeing on their employment conditions
• providing details about their first day, including where to go and who to report to
• giving them an induction to your workplace
• being aware of your responsibilities to them, including, pay, superannuation and WHS.

See the steps when making an offer of employment to a new employee.

Keeping your workers and visitors safe in the workplace (that might also include on the road, depending on your business) cuts the risk of injury and illness among your staff and increases productivity – and it’s also a legal requirement.

Need help to identify ways to make your workplace safer? SafeWorkSA provides a free advisory service to help small to medium businesses improve safety in their workplace.

Investing in your employees by providing opportunities to learn new skills and knowledge and pathways to advancement can lead to higher job satisfaction and retention and better performance.

Find out how you can provide development opportunities for your staff.

As a small business owner, you want your employees performing at their best. Strategies to motivate staff and lift the performance of those not operating at their peak might be required.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has practical advice on motivating staff and dealing with underperformance.

Keeping records about your staff employment including attendance, leave, pay, superannuation payments, and evidence of performance and professional development is a legal requirement.

Find out which employee records you need to keep and find templates to help you.

Issues with staff can often be resolved quickly by discussing the problem calmly. The Fair Work Ombudsman has resources available on having difficult conversations with staff can help you work out what to say and how to say it.

If you can’t resolve a dispute by talking to your employee, SafeWork SA may be able to help.