What you need to know before hiring: contracts, payroll, pension, tax obligations, and onboarding.
Before you make an offer
Define exactly what the role is before you start looking. What will this person do every day? What does success look like in their first 90 days? What skills are essential versus nice to have? A clear job description not only helps you hire the right person but also sets expectations from day one. Write it down.
The employment contract
Every employee should have a written employment contract. This should cover the start date, job title and description, salary and pay frequency, working hours, leave entitlement, notice period, probation period if applicable, and confidentiality obligations. A contract protects both you and the employee. Using a template without customising it is risky. Have a lawyer review it.
PAYE registration and obligations
As an employer, you must register with the relevant State Internal Revenue Service (SIRS) for PAYE. Once registered, you deduct income tax from employee salaries each month based on the PAYE scale and remit it to the SIRS by the 10th of the following month. You must also file annual PAYE returns showing the total income and tax deducted for each employee.
Pension contributions
Under the Pension Reform Act, any employer with three or more employees must enroll them in a pension scheme. The employer contributes a minimum of 10% of the employee's monthly emolument, and the employee contributes a minimum of 8%. Contributions must be remitted within 7 working days of salary payment. Failure to comply attracts significant penalties.
Onboarding done right
A poor onboarding experience sets a bad tone and increases the chance of early turnover. On day one, have their workspace ready, their system access set up, and a clear plan for their first week. Introduce them to the team. Walk them through how the business operates. Assign a mentor or point of contact for questions. The first 30 days shape how engaged someone will be for the rest of their time with you.
Put this into practice with Kuvra
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