First employee

be a boss from the outset. set out your stall and let him know what you expect from day one. he's your employee not your mate. Treat him well and look after him and he will pay it back with loyalty, but keep your distance as a boss. someone told me once your the boss, you can have a laugh but you need to be the guy who doesn't sit down in the canteen with the rest cracking jokes and moaning about customers, etc , because you are the company and one day you may need to read the riot act or part ways, so there has to be a bit of distance (hope that makes sense!)

As well as you treat him, remember the reason he is there is to earn the business money, not for him to be there for you to pay his wages with nothing in return, so make sure you sort out your rates etc so that it works financially.

Let him know where he stands with pay, holiday pay, sickness, bad weather days etc etc. pay him on time without fail. I see so many guys in the building industry that get let down with being paid, and then the boss wonders why the blokes walk off.

I started out with one 16 year old lad from school. hes 26 now and supervisor of my other 4. only once did he try and throw a strop with me when he was 17. he got firmly put in his place and never been a crossed word since. very loyal. its a learning curve, but set your stall out from the start, because you don't know when you will be taking on the next one! If you get a good one (and im sorry but you may well have some disappointments, be prepared its life!) look after them. little things make a real difference like letting them keep the odd tip or finishing early, or the odd free day off

don't forget first aid kit, ppe and worth sending him on a first aid course if he doesn't know it, because its likely he will be the one doing the first aid on you!

its hard work, but I really enjoy dealing with my staff and seeing them develop. its a great feeling when they do a job as you would...and when they earn you money

Replies

Thermo January 15, 2015 at 8:22pm

be a boss from the outset. set out your stall and let him know what you expect from day one. he's your employee not your mate. Treat him well and look after him and he will pay it back with loyalty, but keep your distance as a boss. someone told me once your the boss, you can have a laugh but you need to be the guy who doesn't sit down in the canteen with the rest cracking jokes and moaning about customers, etc , because you are the company and one day you may need to read the riot act or part ways, so there has to be a bit of distance (hope that makes sense!)

As well as you treat him, remember the reason he is there is to earn the business money, not for him to be there for you to pay his wages with nothing in return, so make sure you sort out your rates etc so that it works financially.

Let him know where he stands with pay, holiday pay, sickness, bad weather days etc etc. pay him on time without fail. I see so many guys in the building industry that get let down with being paid, and then the boss wonders why the blokes walk off.

I started out with one 16 year old lad from school. hes 26 now and supervisor of my other 4. only once did he try and throw a strop with me when he was 17. he got firmly put in his place and never been a crossed word since. very loyal. its a learning curve, but set your stall out from the start, because you don't know when you will be taking on the next one! If you get a good one (and im sorry but you may well have some disappointments, be prepared its life!) look after them. little things make a real difference like letting them keep the odd tip or finishing early, or the odd free day off

don't forget first aid kit, ppe and worth sending him on a first aid course if he doesn't know it, because its likely he will be the one doing the first aid on you!

its hard work, but I really enjoy dealing with my staff and seeing them develop. its a great feeling when they do a job as you would...and when they earn you money
- Simon > Thermo January 15, 2015 at 9:52pm
  
  Spot on Thermo!
Mitchel ingham January 15, 2015 at 11:18pm

will the said person have another job?
Simply Business January 16, 2015 at 11:45am

Hi Daniel :)

Congrats on taking on your first employee - business must be going well! As you mentioned, you will need to get some employers' liability, but that certainly shouldn't be much of an issue.

We actually published this guide a while ago - http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2011/08/2011-08-... - it might be of some use :)

Good luck!
PRO

Daniel Lampard January 18, 2015 at 12:35pm

Thanks for all the responces they have been really helpful! Does everyone have a written contract template they would be willing to share? Or should I just write down all my terms, conditions and expectations and get the employee to sign?
- James Brett > Daniel Lampard January 18, 2015 at 12:39pm
  
  Try the BOG?
  - PRO
    
    Daniel Lampard > James Brett January 18, 2015 at 2:31pm
    
    Bog? I'm assuming you don't mean looking down the toilet lol!
    - PRO
      
      Gary RK > Daniel Lampard January 18, 2015 at 2:49pm
      
      The BOG is The Business Objectives Group. It's a resource available if you upgrade your membership in support of LJN.
      
      http://landscapejuicenetwork.com/page/go-premium
      
      It provides additional resources, materials, greater SEO exposure, additional access to the Landscape Engine, downloads and an environment to discuss business issues in private etc
      
      It is advertised on the front forum page and two links exist along the top green Menu Bar.
    - James Brett > Daniel Lampard January 18, 2015 at 3:04pm
      
      As Gary has posted, should have made it a bit more clear!