KBB TV Episode 3 - Series 1
In this episode, we focus on issues surrounding employment. Lance Witham, from WITHAM'S, a specialist coffee and tea wholesaler with an obsession for roasting the perfect blend using only the finest freshly roasted beans, is looking to expand and recognises that he needs a sales person to help grow the business. But being a time poor small business owner, how should he go about finding someone and how does he make sure they're the right person?
We also meet John and Ruthie Fell from RISE Personal Training. They've now reached their capacity and are turning away clients so want to expand the business. Their quandary is do they employ people or hire in contractors? And what obligations do they take on if they go the employee route?
In part one, Julia Bickerstaff, our finance expert from Deloitte, explains to John and Ruthie what they need to do if they take on an employee. Julia points out that it isn't as difficult as it looks and refers them to the Australian Taxation Office website where they can register as an employer.
In part two, Julia outlines what's involved in taking on a contractor and how to test that they won't be regarded as an employee from a tax perspective. If you'd like to know more about what's involved in taking on an employee visit the ATO website where you'll also find a useful "employee/contractor decision tool" that allows you to determine whether your individual workers are actually employees or contractors.
To help Lance, from Witham's, with his recruitment process we send in Alec Bashinsky, a Human Resources specialist from Deloitte. Alec gives Lance some pointers to streamline the interviewing process.
In part three, Alec gives Lance some useful interviewing tips and touches on some of the things you can't ask as a prospective employer. You can see more of Alec's tips in the Video Extras section of this site.
In this segment, we send Joe Stokes, from risk management and insurance experts Hartman Thomas, to meet with John and Ruthie from Rise to tell them about their Occupational Health and Safety obligations. Some useful resources mentioned by Joe are:
The Work Cover Authority in your state - you can find this through the www.business.gov.au website
The Safety Institute of Australia
Standards Australia
Joe also recommends talking to your Occupational Health and Safety insurer who often have useful tools and resources.