Hiring Employees and Returning to Work
With Melbourne easing out of lockdown and Australia edging closer to our Covid-19 vaccination targets, things are beginning to change. Many businesses are beginning to transition back to the office environment. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that many jobs can be completed remotely. Because of this, the future of the work environment will no doubt look a little different moving forward.
Whether you’re a business owner recruiting staff for the very first time or simply refreshing yourself on what needs to be done when hiring in 2021. There are several things you need to consider when hiring employees and/or returning to work.
Covid-19 considerations
Do staff want to work in the office?
You may find that certain staff members do not want to return to the office environment. Working from home was a flexible way of working and for many, it remains the safest option. Being flexible during this time will help to retain staff and make your team feel valued.
Is the office a safe place for your employees?
It’s also incredibly important to follow Covid-19 protocol in the workplace. Following guidelines and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for your team is crucial.
Dealing with financial implications of the pandemic
Were any of your employees on compensation payments such as the Disaster Payment during lockdown? These form earnings when calculating weekly payments, so it’s important to understand exactly what this means for your business. If you’re not sure what you need to consider, contact us here at LXD Business Solutions and we’ll get you on the right path.
Superannuation
Setting up superannuation for your staff is a legal requirement of employing permanent staff. Employees can elect their chosen fund, or if they don’t have one yet, you can select the default fund for your industry. Setting up superannuation payments correctly at the beginning is very important. A small error may grow into a large problem if payments are not made correctly over time. Contact us and we’ll answer all of your superannuation questions and get you set up correctly from the beginning.
Work Cover
This insurance is compulsory if you have employees. This covers both you and your team if an accident occurs in the workplace that inhibits them from working. Click here to learn more at Work Safe Victoria.
Insurance
There are many types of insurance that can protect you, your business & its employees against an array of things. Some are compulsory and others are elective. Depending on your business and industry, you may need to organise public liability insurance to safeguard the public when on your property. Other types of insurance include:
- professional indemnity
- vehicle
- building & contents (especially if your assets and equipment are of value)
- cyber liability and more
Head over to Business Victoria to learn more about the types of insurance and what your business needs. They’ve even got a handy table you can check out here!
Setting up payroll and PAYG
If you’ve decided to expand the team or you’ve just hired an entire workforce and need to get started, contact us to learn more about PAYG and payroll setup. The last thing you need is a clerical error at the beginning which snowballs into a bigger issue in the long term. Setting up payroll correctly will be a lifesaver in the long run.
Changes in staffing
Were there any changes in staffing during lockdown periods? Do you have a skills shortage or a gap that now needs to be filled? Plan to ensure you are ready for a surge in operations now that you are back to the daily grind.
This list is a great starting point, but it isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to setting up new employees. Looking for advice or a hand with your accounting, bookkeeping or have other financial questions? Contact the team here at LXD Business Solutions today on (03) 6121 6111 or email us and our team will get you set up and ready to go.