Managing your business can be hard enough without having conflict with your employees and falling foul of employment laws. Here are ten top tips for avoiding the most common pitfalls:

1. Keep your staff records up to date. An employment tribunal can automatically rule against an employer if staff records have not been kept or they are inaccurate.
2. Make sure you store copies of all relevant documents, contracts, references, licences and certificates. By law you are required to provide employees with documents such as employment contracts so have a process for issuing them and keep copies.
3. Record holidays and sicknesses. Many small businesses do not know how much time-off has been taken by staff. This can lead to disputes or loss of productivity if adequate cover cannot be arranged.
4. Implement an appraisal system that is used for all your staff. You need to tell them what is expected and of them and how they are performing. You are paying for their productivity so ensure you have a process for improving performance.
5. Your staff can be your most valuable resource. Create a development plan for each member of staff and work with them to ensure they get the right resources and training to enable them to do their jobs better.
6. Record and store all the basic information for your staff. Addresses, emergency contact details and any important medical information. Make sure any changes are updated in your records.
7. Keep your confidential information secure. Lock away sensitive documents or better still store information on a computer with password protection.
8. Make sure your pay reviews are fair and reasonable. Your staff may not always agree with or like their pay reviews but you need to show them that are being treated fairly and why they are paid their level of salary.
9. Deal with poor performers or those who consistently break contractual terms. You need a formal procedure for addressing issues. Make sure any action is documented and recorded in your staff records.
10. Don't make the same mistake twice. Your staff records should help you to manage better in the future and avoid repeating problems. If a member of staff leaves you should know if you would be prepared to re-hire them.