Running a business often means juggling multiple priorities, managing day-to-day operations, and keeping an eye on growth. Amid the hustle, it’s easy for the basics of employment practices to be overlooked. However, these foundational elements are critical for protecting your business, supporting your team, and ensuring compliance with the law.

Here are the five essential employment practices every business should have in place—and why you can’t afford to get them wrong.

1. Compliant Contracts of Employment

Why It Matters:
A well-drafted employment contract is more than just a legal requirement—it sets the tone for the employer-employee relationship. It clearly outlines expectations, entitlements, and obligations, reducing the risk of disputes down the line.

What You Should Do:

• Ensure contracts include role specifics, salary, hours of work, and leave entitlements.
• Include clauses for confidentiality, termination, and compliance with policies.
• Regularly update contracts to align with legal changes and evolving business needs.

2. Minimum Policies: Code of Conduct, Grievance, WHS, and Fair Treatment

Why It Matters:
Policies act as a guidebook for behaviour and decision-making within your business. They help ensure a safe, fair, and respectful workplace while providing a clear framework for addressing issues like bullying, grievances, or health and safety concerns.

What You Should Do:

• Have the basics in place: Code of Conduct, Grievance Procedure, Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Policy, and a Fair Treatment or Bullying & Harassment Policy.
• Train your team on these policies during onboarding and annually thereafter.
• Review and update policies regularly to remain compliant with legislative changes.

3. Annual Review of Salary Benchmarks

Why It Matters:
Paying your team fairly isn’t just about compliance—it’s key to retention and motivation. Underpaying employees (even unintentionally) can result in costly legal action and criminal charges, while not aligning salaries with the market can lead to losing talent to competitors.

What You Should Do:

• Be aware of the increases made to minimum wages each year and benchmark salaries against both industry awards and market rates annually.
• Correct any discrepancies immediately.
• Clearly communicate salary review processes to employees to manage expectations.

4. Review of Team Members’ Hours

Why It Matters:
Excessive hours can lead to burnout, errors, and reduced productivity—not to mention potential breaches of employment laws. It’s vital to ensure your team’s workload is sustainable and complies with legal requirements.

What You Should Do:

• Monitor employee hours, ensuring compliance with awards or enterprise agreements.
• Conduct regular check-ins to assess workload and capacity.
• Encourage time-off and wellbeing practices to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

5. Effective Onboarding Process

Why It Matters:
First impressions count. A well-structured onboarding process helps new employees feel welcomed, informed, and set up for success. It’s also an opportunity to introduce them to your company’s culture, policies, and expectations.

What You Should Do:

• Create a structured onboarding plan covering the first day, week, and month.
• Provide clear guidance on your company’s policies, expectations, and culture.
• Schedule check-ins during the probation period to address any concerns early.

Why Getting These Right Matters

Failing to address these basics can expose your business to legal risks, increased turnover, and decreased team morale. On the flip side, having these essentials in place:

• Reduces the risk of disputes and penalties.
• Builds trust and engagement with your team.
• Provides a solid foundation for business growth.

Final Thoughts

Investing time and resources in these five areas may feel like a lot upfront, but the payoff is invaluable. As your business grows, these foundations will not only protect you legally but also help you attract and retain top talent, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

If you’re unsure where to start or need help getting the basics right, BespokeHR is here to help. With over 15 years of experience supporting businesses of all sizes, we can guide you through the process to ensure your business is set up for success.

Let’s work together to grow and inspire great workplaces for your team—and peace of mind for you.

Need help implementing these essentials? Contact us today!