Return to Social Business Compliance index

Ensuring compliance: HR systems and procedures

HR systems set-up requirements:

Employment contracts

All employees will need to have an employment contract with your social business setting out key information regarding employment conditions, rights, duties and responsibilities.

Your business will need to develop a contract of employment drawing

All employees will need to have an employment contract with your social business setting out key information regarding employment conditions, rights, duties and responsibilities.

Your& business will need to develop a contract of employment drawing on legal advice where appropriate.

Further guidance:

Employment Contracts

Staff handbook

A staff handbook is a book given to employees by an employer. Usually, the employee handbook contains information about company culture, policies, and procedures and is provided to employed staff with their contract of employment.

NB The UK’s changed relationship with the European Union, now outside the single market and customs union, will impact of employing staff from the European Union.

Further guidance:

Social Business Wales Employing People: Section 4 for Employee handbook

Volunteer handbook

If your social business uses volunteers, then you should also consider developing a volunteer handbook or information booklet to provide volunteers with a summary of the key information they will need to deliver their roles.

Appropriate policies should be established for volunteer recruitment and management.

Further guidance:

WCVA Volunteering Resources

WCVA Model Volunteering Policy

Policies and Procedures

Your business will need to have several key HR policies in place from the outset. NB The UK’s changed relationship with the European Union, now outside the single market and customs union, will impact of employing staff from the European Union.

Further guidance:

Human Resources Policies

Contact your dedicated Business Advisor to access a comprehensive list of HR policies developed by SBW New Start service or email sbwenquiries@wales.coop

Payroll system and ‘Real Time Information’

See Ensuring compliance: Financial systems

Further guidance:

PAYE and Payroll

HMRC registration – Employer

See Ensuring compliance: Financial systems

Further guidance:

Register as an Employer

HR Support

You will need to put in place a method of securing HR support for your business. This could be via a Board member or an employee with responsibility for staff. Alternatively, you may wish to employ external HR consultants or lawyers to support you in specific tasks.