Recruiting staff

One way your business can take advantage of extra skills and labour without taking on many of the responsibilities of an employer is to use freelancers or outside contractors. These are workers who are self-employed or belong to separate outside companies.

For example, you might use an outside IT contractor to build your business website or hire a freelance PR consultant when you want a promotional push for your business.

Advantages and disadvantages of freelancers and outside contractors

An advantage of using freelancers and outside contractors is that in many cases they look after all their own income tax affairs and National Insurance contributions. But it's always a good idea to check that you won't be responsible for deducting tax and National Insurance from their payments. Read more on IR35 and other special rules.

People who are genuinely self-employed may not be entitled to the same rights afforded to employees. However, depending on the contract under which they are providing services, they may qualify as workers. Under these circumstances, they would be entitled to workers' rights such as holidays and holiday pay. If you are in any doubt about a person's employment status, you should seek professional advice.

Freelancers and contractors still have a right to the national minimum wage. But if they are being paid by their own firms so this will not affect you.

As an employer, you still have responsibilities for the health and safety of freelancers and contractors. See how to write a health and safety policy for your business. Also, you should check whether your insurance is affected by having non-employees working on your premises.

Remember too that you should avoid discrimination against anyone who carries out work for you, whether they are employed by you or self-employed. See how to prevent discrimination and value diversity.