Do you know your responsibilities when becoming an employer?
If you’re just starting a new business, or are taking your first steps towards hiring your first team members, being confident about your role as a new employer is essential.
As your new business grows, you’ll inevitably need to expand your team – and this means taking on staff and becoming an employer.
But are you ready for the tasks and responsibilities you have towards your new employees once you become an employer? And what are those key responsibilities?
7 employee responsibilities to be aware of.
Let’s take a look at some of the main employee rights your new team members will have, and how upholding and managing these rights impacts on you as their boss.
Employee rights and responsibilities.
Your employees are entitled to certain minimum employment rights and, as their employer, you cannot give less than what is in the law, even if you have an agreement with a specific employee.
Minimum rights of employees (language translations).
Information on your employee’s employment rights and responsibilities should be available in a range of languages that reflect the diversity of your workforce and community.
Employer rights and responsibilities.
Once you’ve hired an employee, you and your employee can agree to better terms and conditions. But at least the minimum entitlements must be provided, as per New Zealand law.
Good faith.
There are certain behaviours and principles that are essential to any employment relationship. Employees, employers, unions and parties to an employment relationship must deal with each other in ‘good faith’.
Fair process.
When taking any action against an employee, as an employer, you must follow a fair process. Following a fair process is as important as having good reason for taking action against an employee. The employer and employee must both act in good faith throughout the process.
Good reason.
Before taking any action against an employee, you must have a genuine and valid reason. Ensure you have good grounds, and evidence, for any action taken.
Record-keeping.
As an employer, you must keep complete and accurate records of wages, time, leave and other employment details.
Talk to us about understanding your responsibilities as an employer
Talk to our team to understand the basics around employee rights, employer requirements and what the law expects from you as the boss of a team of people.