/
/i British Startup resource

United Kingdom first-hire and payroll checklist

Plan the first employee or contractor: role design, budget, contracts, payroll, benefits, onboarding and local employment obligations.

Open resource libraryOfficial GOV.UK employing staff guide

Updated 29 April 2026 · Checklists · Check linked official sources before acting.

/<\/section>\s*
/i

What this resource covers

United Kingdom first-hire and payroll checklist turns official guidance and ecosystem practice into an action plan for UK founders working through Companies House, HMRC, ICO, SEIS/EIS and national growth support. Use it to decide what to do next, what evidence to save and which official source to verify before acting.

This guide is written for UK founders working through Companies House, HMRC, ICO, SEIS/EIS and national growth support. It is practical guidance, not legal, tax, investment or regulated professional advice.

Action checklist

  1. Write the job outcome before choosing employee, contractor or advisor.
  2. Budget salary, taxes, tools, onboarding and management time.
  3. Verify payroll and employment rules with the official labour source.

Founder task flow

  1. Open the local British Startup guide and read the action checklist.
  2. Verify the current requirement using Official GOV.UK employing staff guide.
  3. Assign an owner, deadline, evidence folder and next conversation.
Download worksheet