The boring stuff, sorted
Payroll & HR
Employing someone is the single biggest jump in obligations on this whole site. None of it is difficult, but it all has to be in place before their first day rather than after it.
Best fit for you
These are the things that actually decide it. Find the line that sounds like you.
- Your first employee PAYE registration (allow 15 working days), employers’ liability insurance, a pension scheme, written terms, a right to work check.
- Using freelancers instead No payroll, but get the status right and the agreement written. The test is how you work together, not the job title.
- Paying yourself from a limited company Usually a small salary plus dividends, which is a real decision with tax consequences. Worth one conversation with an accountant.
What catches people out
- At least £12.71 an hour for 21 and over, from April 2026. It rises every April.
- Auto-enrolment applies to staff aged 22 to State Pension age earning over £10,000. You cannot encourage anyone to opt out.
- The right to work check has to happen before they start and has to be documented.
Your pal saysNo provider is named on this page on purpose. CompanyPal has no commercial deals yet, and a “best buy” we haven’t actually checked would be worth less than nothing to you. We’ll tell you when real ones land.
Is this one of yours?
The plan builder works out which of these apply to what you’re actually starting, and which you can ignore.