Chapter 2

Register as an employer

You’ve considered the position you want to fill and your own responsibilities. It’s time to register as an employer.

a small business owner registering as an employer on a laptop

You can find details about the registration process on your local government website. Searching for things like ‘how to register as an employer’ or ‘register to pay employees’ will lead you to the right website pages.

Then it’s just a matter of making sure you have everything you need to register, completing all the necessary forms, and ticking off each step required by the government.

Understand employment law

The entire employment process is governed by certain laws, so understand them before you begin hiring. Speak with an employment lawyer for specific advice or check a government site to learn more about employment laws and how to comply with them.

Disclaimer

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the content provided.

How to hire employees

Hiring help can improve your business, and your lifestyle. But it’s a big process. Here are the main things to keep in mind.

  1. Know your employer responsibilities

    You have a duty of care to your employees. Get familiar with your employer responsibilities before you start the hiring.

  2. Register as an employer

    You’ve considered the position you want to fill and your own responsibilities. It’s time to register as an employer.

  3. Write a job description

    You want the perfect employee. They want the perfect employer. Find out how to write a job description that stands out.

  4. The recruitment process

    Now the applicants are lining up. So how do you sort through them all and select the best fit for your business?

  5. Employee onboarding

    Employee onboarding is more than orientation. It’s setting expectations, building relationships, and providing support.

  6. Run payroll for your employees

    Paying your employees right is essential. It’s also a legal requirement. Let’s take a look at the payroll process.

  7. Manage employee evaluations

    Your employees need support too. They need to know if they’re on the right track. Employee evaluations help with that.

  8. Tools and guides for your business

    Now that you’re an employer, you want to strengthen your business. Xero’s got resources and solutions to help.

Download the guide to hiring employees

Learn how to hire employees and how to handle the admin that goes with it. Fill out the form to receive this guide as a PDF.

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