[angela stone]

Hi guys,

I have one member of staff who works with me on every job I do at present.  She is a student and I have known her for several years as I worked with her and her mum in a previous office job which we had, she's good and we work well together.

There is now a possibility that I may get a commercial contract from a domestic  customer I have which will mean I will need to take on at least 4 members of staff to cover the job ( 2 of my domestic customers are business partners who own 8 children's nurseries and they want me to consider taking over 3 of them).

I am concerned as I will not be able to present on each job and feel that I will lose control!  Firstly, where do you suggest I get the staff from?  I understand everyone has good and bad experiences regardless, but i know some of you are old hats at this and give good advice!!

So guys what do you reckon, for less hassle what is it:  Job Centre, local rag,  friend of a friend etc???

I know that to take one step back and try and expand my business I have to do this but it is SCARY!

I imagine it will have to be the job centre and hope that my interview skills will ween out the weak minded!

Tell me your thoughts

Thanks

Ange

[Paul-T]

This is a real step and one which you should consider seriously. It is clear you are obviously aware of this - that is the major step already taken.

You need to make sure you are fully aware of H&S, COSHH etc due to the places you will be cleaning - like considering the chemicals you will be using & NO BLEACH!

It is difficult and certainly a responsibility - you could always employ your friend as a supervisor on all three jobs (if distance/time allow and gives you more time to focus on other things) but I would be more concerned about ALL staff knowing about the legalities of things - this is highly important and one that can not be stressed enough. You may already know about such things but what about your staff?

I would personally advertise at the job centre and I would also advise getting your new staff CRB checked whether the children are on site or not!

Another thing to bear in mind is consider where all your chemicals and equipment will be stored and make sure it is all under lock and key.

I hope the above helps and simply my thoughts 

[carpetguy]

Consider talking to"  Peninsula "they will give you all the advice you need and you need plenty if considering employing. It's an awful lot more than just advertising and paying wages, etc.
You will find you have to comply with an amazing amount of legislation, from risk assessment of every job.
Contact ACAS also and make sure you have as much info' as possible BEFORE you interview anyone. It can be very off putting, but nowadays you need to know an awful lot before even advertising.