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Practical employment law information to support your business, from Clover HR

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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.

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.

How to collect debts - checklist

Almost every business will experience late payment at some point. This practical checklist will help you collect outstanding debts and recover the money you are owed

  • Set up a system to track outstanding invoices. Accounting software can help you monitor when payments are due quickly and easily.
  • Start chasing as soon as an invoice becomes due for payment. If no contractual payment period has been agreed, invoices must be paid within 30 days.
  • Check that all the invoice details are correct including the invoice amount, due date, customer details and your company information including payment details.
  • Make it easy for customers to pay you by offering a range of payment methods.
  • Draw up a timetable, setting out what emails, letters, phone calls or other action you will take at each stage when chasing a debt.
  • Investigate costs and decide whether to involve external help at any stage. Ensure that any debt collection agency you use is reputable.
  • Keep a file for recording the date of each action, which individual you contacted, and the contents of any telephone conversations.
  • Identify the correct contact, and issue a polite reminder letter as a simple first step.
  • Follow up with professional but friendly telephone calls.
  • Consider alternatives such as email reminders, or visiting the debtor in person.
  • Discuss and tackle any problems which are preventing payment.
  • Handle any excuses, and ask for a date when you can expect payment but be wary of delaying tactics.
  • Use your judgement to decide whether to claim interest and debt recovery costs under late payment regulations.
  • Follow up to make sure the customer is doing what has been promised.
  • If the customer claims financial difficulties, attempt to negotiate a schedule of payments.
  • Be prepared to stop further credit sales until you have been paid to put pressure on the customer and avoid further losses.
  • Consider mediation to find a solution that avoids the need for legal recourse.
  • If you cannot reach agreement, send a letter of claim warning of your intention to sue for the outstanding debt.
  • Investigate whether it is worth taking legal action. Assess the customer’s ability to pay, and the likely time and costs involved.
  • If you pursue the case, continue to attempt to negotiate an agreed settlement rather than going to court.
  • Be prepared to take further legal action to enforce payment if necessary.

Calculate interest on an overdue invoice

Use this free, late payment interest calculator on the Small Business Commissioner's website to work out how much interest and compensation you can charge on an unpaid invoice.

Start now

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