Elf Employment Essentials: Rights and Responsibilities
Employment team |18 December 2023
It was time for the final piece of the business puzzle: recruitment. Buddy and Chip had the workshop, the supplies and the licenses they needed. But it would all be redundant if they didn’t have a talented workforce behind them.
It was a surprise to Buddy and Chip how many elves were interested in working at their exciting new enterprise and, keen to be the best employers they could be, they sought guidance from Nash’s Employment team to understand their responsibilities as an employer.
They learnt that ensuring the fair treatment of staff was key to upholding the rights of their employees. This began with the provision of a Written Statement of Employment. This document, required for each individual they employed, would detail all key elements of their role. This includes job description, wages, working hours and holiday entitlements.
Next was ensuring their elves received at least National Minimum Wage. Buddy and Chip were committed to not only meeting this legal requirement but exceeding it, understanding that fair pay was essential for a happy and motivated workforce.
Buddy and Chip also learnt the importance of a safe working environment. The workshop had been designed to provide safe tools and machinery to complete the job and ensure no elf employee would suffer a mishap.
The Nash team explained the broad spectrum of employee rights, including annual leave, maternity and paternity leave and the right to request flexible working hours. They expressed the importance and legalities of these rights for their team.
In addition, the team guided them through the implementation of Statutory Sick Pay, ensuring any elf who fell ill would not be left with no income while they recovered. They also supported the duo through ensuring grievances would be properly addressed. Buddy and Chip learned how to set up a fair and transparent process for handling employee complaints and concerns.
Buddy and Chip ensured the personal information of their employees was securely stored and appropriately used, in line with GDPR legislation. They were also advised on their obligations around pensions, including auto-enrolment rules, to ensure each elf’s future was secure.
Finally, the Nash team covered the issue of termination and resignation. Buddy and Chip got to grips with the importance of handling these situations fairly and sensitively, respecting the rights of their employees while protecting the interests of their business.
With this comprehensive understanding of their obligations, Buddy and Chip were ready to be not just employers, but great employers. Their workshop would be a place of fairness, safety, and joy. The key takeaway from their time with Nash’s Employment team was that being an employer is not just about running a business; it’s about ensuring every member feels valued, protected, and heard.
If you’re an employer who would like to discuss your legal obligations with our skilled team, you can contact them here.
