Building a business is an activity often defined by outward-facing results. Successful businesses are seen as such for their stature in their market, their resilience in difficult economic times, and their continued agility in the face of ever-changing consumer demands. These are all important considerations for any business that hopes to survive beyond Year 1, but by no means the only considerations; indeed, it is the inward-facing results that can achieve the results which most businesses seek. Looking inward and towards building a fair, equitable, and productive workplace with a content staff cohort is key. It is true that a happy workforce is a productive one, but these are not the only incentives. There are various legal and ethical considerations to building a business with staff, too.

Understanding Employer Obligations

Employers have various legal responsibilities to their staff, borne of ever-iterating laws and regulations surrounding workplace safety and the rights of employees. Less-scrupulous businesses of old were more likely to exploit their staff in the name of lower running costs and higher profit margins; as such, laws now exist to enshrine bare minimums for employee safety and wellbeing.

The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 is one of the higher-profile sets of legislation regarding workers, setting out as it does a roadmap to ensuring workplaces and working practices are safe. Another, more recent piece of legislation with a high profile is the Equality Act 2010, which recognises the status of workers with protected characteristics and prevents discriminatory practices relating to said characteristics.

As a new, young business with little experience in hiring or maintaining staff, the importance of adhering to these rules and regulations should not be underestimated. Professional counsel in employment may be necessary for you to ensure compliance in all aspects of your trade, to protect the growth of your business.

Ethical Practices for a Positive Work Culture

The law exists to set a base level of employee safety and protection, but your efforts do not need to stop here. There is an obvious ethical element to bringing about a positive and productive workplace culture, and ethics are set to play a more important part than ever as certain workplace protections start to get rolled back in other countries. For instance, fair pay is something of an ongoing debate, but one you needn’t race to the bottom of; by setting base salaries above the national average, you attract happier employees and set an ethical precedent.

Resolving Workplace Disputes Effectively

Your business’ HR department is crucial for the setting of ethical precedents, as well as for following the law to the letter in the right cases. Workplace disputes, whether between employees or between an employee and yourself, are an inevitable aspect of running a business; HR departments equipped for conflict resolution are more likely to find a practical, beneficial outcome for all parties.

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Lisa Ruiz

Lisa Ruiz is a tech enthusiast and business strategist with a passion for exploring the intersection of innovation and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the technology and business sectors, she delivers insightful content on emerging trends, digital transformation, and growth strategies. Lisa’s work helps professionals and entrepreneurs navigate the fast-evolving tech landscape to stay ahead of the competition. When she’s not writing, she enjoys networking with industry leaders and discovering the latest advancements in AI and fintech.