Hiring Your First Employee? Here’s What You Need to Know

Hiring your first employee is one of the biggest milestones in HR in small business, but it often comes with overwhelm, confusion and worries about getting things wrong. This episode will help you feel more prepared, more confident and more supported as you step into this next stage of business growth.

In this practical and reassuring episode, Amy walks you through the essential steps to take before hiring your first team member. She breaks down culture, job design, compliance, contracts, onboarding and the realities small business owners often miss when preparing to employ someone for the first time. You will finish feeling clearer about what to do, what to avoid and how to set your new employee up for success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to know when it is the right time to hire
• Why cultural fit matters more than technical skill
• What small business owners must understand about awards and compliance
• Why contracts need to be clear, tailored and legally sound
• How to onboard and support your new employee in the first three months

Hiring your first employee does not need to feel overwhelming. With the right preparation, clarity and support, you can build a confident and compliant foundation for your growing team. Amy’s people-first guidance will help you hire well and set your new employee up for long-term success.

Resources & Links
– Explore The HR Link: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/the-hr-...
– Get in touch for a Free Call with Amy to see how people-first HR can support your small business: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/contact
– Get The People First Performance Pack: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...

Free HR resources for small business owners:
• Employee Engagement Checklist: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...
• Guide to Managing Underperformance: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...
• Contracts Checklist https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...
• 7 HR Steps to Hiring a Superstar https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...

👉 Follow The HR Link on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and subscribe on YouTube, so you never miss an episode.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and the early excitement of hiring
00:30 The nerves and opportunity in bringing on your first employee
00:56 Understanding overwhelm and compliance basics
01:23 Why cultural fit is essential
01:50 Strategic planning and identifying when to hire
02:16 Early indicators that it is time to recruit
02:37 Facing legal fears and hiring responsibilities
03:02 Risks of underpayment and compliance mistakes
03:31 Steps in the hiring process and why to seek help
04:22 Defining the role and job design
04:45 Why strong contracts matter
05:15 How to advertise the role
05:33 Paying above award and hiring for fit
05:53 Skills versus fit in small business hiring
06:17 Contracts, payroll and superannuation setup
06:36 Why to involve HR or your accountant early
09:18 Induction and onboarding foundations
09:39 Setting your new employee up for success
10:03 A clear guide for the first three months
10:36 Free hiring checklist available

About The HR Link: People-First Conversations
The HR Link: People-First Conversations is the podcast for Australian business owners who want to manage their teams with clarity, care, and confidence. Hosted by Amy Christopherson, founder of Grounded HR, each episode brings you short, practical conversations that simplify HR and centre the humans inside your business.

Whether you’re hiring your first employee, navigating team challenges, or just want to make sure you’re “doing it right,” this podcast will give you the tools and reassurance you need.

New episodes are released fortnightly on Tuesdays at 7am. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.

Connect with Grounded HR
– Website: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/
– Instagram:   / groundedhr.au  
– Grounded HR LinkedIn:   / groundedhr  
– Amy’s LinkedIn:   / amy-christopherson-au  
– Facebook:   / groundedhr.au  
– YouTube:    / @groundedhr  
– Explore The HR Link, your HR Partner in Your Pocket: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/the-hr-...

Disclaimer
The HR Link: People-First Conversations is here to share people-first insights and education, not legal advice. Every business is unique, so we encourage you to seek tailored guidance for your own circumstances.