Employment Do's and Don'ts

How can you be a successful employer? Address these 10 employment issues successfully and you are on your way!

1. Determine whether you should hire employees or contractors, and what the differences are between the two.

2. Comply with complex payroll and withholding tax requirements. It is a good idea to use a payroll service.

3. Learn the DO's and DON'Ts of interviewing, such as: DO focus on job requirement skills and use what/how questions to have the candidate talk most of the time; DON'T ask questions about age, health, religion.

4. Know what the law says about Hiring Children.

5. Be sure you have Workmen's Comp Insurance.

6. Use Employment Agreements to cover non-compete and confidentiality issues.

7. Provide an Employee Manual to make company policies clear.

8. Issue a Sexual Harassment Policy that provides examples of what sexual harrassment is, and that specifies how the company handles complaints.

9. Keep complete Personnel Records with items recommended and required by law. Records should include employee performance and conduct standards so you can manage for improved performance.

10. Consider some DO's and DON'Ts of Termination such as: DO plan what you will say, explaining why the termination is occuring, what action is being taken, when and how it will occur; DON'T defend, argue or justify, minimize feelings or make promises.