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Establishing a successful recruitment process and clear written employment contracts for new employees can have a major impact on your business.

Every business needs to be aware of its obligations under minimum wage and equal pay laws, as well as recent pensions auto-enrolment changes.

You must comply with legal restrictions on employees' working hours and time off, or risk claims, enforcement action and even prosecution.

The right employment policies are an essential part of effective staff management. Make sure any policy is clear and well communicated to employees.

While sick employees need to be treated fairly, you need to ensure that 'sickness' is not being used as cover for unauthorised absence.

Most pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, while new fathers are entitled to paternity leave and paternity pay.

As well as undermining morale, illegal discrimination can lead to workplace grievances. Employee discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Home, remote and lone workers are becoming increasingly commonplace. Key issues include communication and how to manage and motivate people remotely.

The right approach to consulting with and providing information to your employees can improve employee motivation and performance.

Disciplinary and grievance issues can be a major burden to employers. Putting in place and following the right procedures is essential.

Following the right dismissal and redundancy procedures helps protect your business and minimise the risk of a legal dispute at tribunal.

Employment tribunal claims are a worrying prospect for any employer. A tribunal case is a no-win situation – even if the claim is unjustified.

The rise of "generation entrepreneur"

22 May 2015

The rise of "generation entrepreneur"Two very different factors – online opportunities and jobs shortages – are encouraging more young people to set up their own enterprise.

In particular, the growth of the app economy is helping to create "generation entrepreneur", according to international IT consultancy Procorre. Companies House data shows that there are now 26,400 people aged 21 and under in the UK registered as company directors.

Wiktor Podgorski, contracts and HR manager at Procorre, said: "The UK's technology sector is growing fast and attracting a lot of high profile investment. The success of a few pioneers has made people realise that they can start setting up a business much earlier than in the past."

Some of the influential role models for young internet entrepreneurs include Pete Cashmore who founded Mashable at the age of 19; Ross Bailey, who was 21 when he secured £1m of funding for Appear Here; and Nick D'Aloisio who founded the news aggregator app Summly when he was 15 years old.

However, a motivating factor for young entrepreneurs is also the lack of jobs, with the rate of unemployment for those aged 16-24 at just over 16%.

Podgorski said: "Inability to find the kind of employment they want may be inspiring some young people to start out on their own instead."

High-tech industries are particularly appealing, he says, because "the size of a business is much less important than its ability to create innovative products. If the business itself does not make them millions, it can open doors to future employment and other projects."

Also, this week, entrepreneur Will Davies of Aspect is campaigning for more business education in schools. He said: "The UK is a country where we pride ourselves in becoming our own boss and we need to teach and inspire young people in investing in profitable ideas."

Davies recently launched the Entrepreneurs4Schools scheme, backed by education secretary Nicky Morgan, where business leaders give talks to pupils at their former schools. Lancelot Clark of Clarks Shoes, John Bird of Big Issue and former Jaeger boss Harold Tillman are also behind the initiative.

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