Getting ready for paid staff

This exercise is a good way to get a group to slow down and really think about the ramifications of employing a worker.

 

Preparation

Print off the 12 " things to think about" cards.

Fold the cards over, so that the top of the page meets the dotted line, and the warning sign is covered up.

Get enough coloured pens or pencils for everyone, and some blue-tack.

It's important to stress that the management committee will not be able to pass on all their responsibilities to paid staff. If you want to find out more about this in advance, you could look at section three of Reducing the Risks.

 

With the group

Introduce the idea of the exercise, emphasising that becoming an employer is a big step with serious legal implications. If possible refer to the group's own situation. Use the supporting information (.PPT, 15.5KB) as back up.

Stick the "things to think about cards" up around the room.

Give everyone a coloured pen or pencil, and get them to wander around the room and read the cards.

Ask people to tick any boxes next to things they have already agreed as a group (but discourage people from getting into detailed conversations about the possible solutions, at this stage).

If anyone disagrees with a tick, they can turn it into a cross!

If there are any other key things that the group wants to consider, they can write these on the card called "other stuff".

Bring everyone together and go through the cards.

If all the boxes have been ticked, then give that card a great big tick with a marker pen

If none of the boxes are ticked, then open that card's flap to show the warning sign. Blue-tack it so it stays open.

If ticks have been changed to crosses, then get the group to discuss the differences. If people agree solutions, change the cross back into a tick. If they can't agree, then open the flap to show the warning sign.

If it looks as though only one or two people have done all the ticking (you'll know this from the colours), you need to go through the cards with the whole group to check they've all considered the implications of employing staff.

Collect up the cards that are still showing warning signs, and give them to the group as the start of an action plan that they need to work on before they can begin to recruit a worker.

Don't forget to look at hints and tips (.DOC, 29KB).