/ Business
When should I hire my first employee?
When you're consistently turning away profitable work and have three to six months of their salary in reserve.
/ 01
The short version
Hiring too early kills cash. Hiring too late kills growth and your weekends.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Consistent overflow of work, not one busy month.
- • Three to six months of salary in reserve.
- • Employers' liability insurance and PAYE set up first.
- • Consider a subcontractor or part-timer as a first step.
- • Write down what they'll actually do before advertising.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
The real cost of an employee is roughly 25–30% above salary once NI, pension and holiday are included.
/ 04
What to do next
Work out the fully-loaded cost of the role and check it against your last six months of turned-down work.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get hiring right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Employee or subcontractor?
Subcontractor is more flexible; watch IR35 and status rules.
Do I need a contract?
A written statement of employment terms is legally required.
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