Job Description

• For a new small business, a major component included in the business plan is how the work will be performed. When the business plan is written and before the business owner begins the recruitment and hiring of employees, it helps to begin writing job descriptions. The SBA recommends writing a job description that includes a job title, an objective for the position, a list of job responsibilities and a description of the roles related to other positions in the business.
  
  

Recruitment

• If you write the job descriptions first, the process of publishing your job advertisements in print, radio, TV and online resources is easier. You can select what aspects of each job description to include in your job posting. A specific job advertisement ensures that some of the applicants who respond to your posting will hold the relevant qualifications. When your job advertisement is too vague, you will get a lot of people who don't meet your needs. This type of scenario is a good example of when you might need to go to the local small business development agency for assistance in recruiting employees.
  
  

Compensation

• Managing a small business requires knowledge of laws and regulations. To determine employee compensation, begin by researching federal and state wage and hour laws. Your planning will include writing personnel policies and procedures related to how much you pay employees, whether you will pay them by the hour or on a salary basis and, if applicable, how to calculate overtime earnings. If you skip important steps in planning your personnel policies, you risk facing legal troubles for violating employment laws.
  
  

Employee Handbook

• Job descriptions, compensation information and other policies and procedures related to personnel and running your business are included in the employee handbook. Add other helpful information about your company, including training programs, safety procedures, schedules, payroll and timekeeping, time management, performance evaluation, acceptable computer use policy and how to request time off. These many topics might seem like a lot of information to develop before you begin hiring, but what you don't finish you can add after the business opens. Strategic management of employees includes enlisting their help in writing more policies and procedures for efficient operation of the company.
  
  

Safety

• Small business owners must provide a safe working environment for employees and carry the right type of insurance for liability and, if applicable, workers compensation. The SBA provides a link for small business owners to the applicable laws at the U.S. Department of Labor's website on topics like employee safety, including compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Reviewing federal laws for all organizations is a good place to begin. Next, you can research laws specific to your industry.