Why do you need an HR checklist? As a small business owner, you wear many hats. From finance to marketing, sales to customer service—HR often ends up on the back burner. But getting HR right is essential to protecting your people and your bottom line.

Whether you’re running a team of five or fifty, having a clear HR checklist can help you stay compliant, create a better employee experience, and avoid costly mistakes.

Here’s your 2025 HR checklist—broken down into manageable sections—to keep your business running smoothly.

✅ Core HR Administration Checklist

These are the basics every business needs in place, no matter how small.

• 📁 Employee Records – Store contracts, emergency contacts, and right-to-work documentation securely.
• 📋 Job Descriptions – Make sure every employee has a clear, up-to-date role description.
• 📜 HR Policies and Handbook – Include essential policies like equal opportunities, disciplinary procedures, grievance handling, and leave policies.
• 🔐 Data Protection – Ensure compliance with GDPR or relevant privacy regulations.

✅ Recruitment & Onboarding

Hiring the right people and bringing them into the business well is crucial. This should be a vital component of any HR checklist.

• 🧑‍💼 Fair Hiring Processes – Use structured interview questions and avoid discriminatory language in job ads.
• ✅ Right-to-Work Checks – Confirm employee eligibility before they start.
• 🎉 Onboarding Checklist – Include workspace setup, intro meetings, company culture overview, and training plans.

✅ Payroll & Benefits

Your team needs to be paid correctly and on time—and they’ll expect more than just a payslip.

• 💷 Payroll Setup – Ensure accurate wage calculations, payslips, and PAYE submissions.
• 🏖️ Holiday Tracking – Keep records of leave taken and remaining entitlements.
• 🏥 Benefits Administration – Communicate any pensions, health plans, or wellbeing perks.
• 🕓 Time Tracking Systems – For hourly staff or remote teams, make sure time and attendance is reliable.

✅ Compliance & Risk Management

Mistakes in this category are the most expensive—legally and reputationally.

• ⚖️ Employment Contracts – Ensure they’re up to date and legally compliant.
• 🧾 Health & Safety Policies – Especially important for physical or customer-facing workspaces.
• 🚨 Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures – Follow ACAS guidelines and document all processes.
• 📆 Stay Up to Date – Employment law changes fast—keep your policies under regular review.

✅ Performance & Employee Relations

Great businesses grow by developing great people. But it doesn’t happen by accident.

• 🎯 Probation Reviews – Set objectives and check in after 3-6 months.
• 💬 Regular Feedback – Encourage a culture of open, two-way communication.
• 📈 Performance Management Framework – Address underperformance fairly and supportively.
• 🧠 Employee Wellbeing – Offer support through mental health resources, flexible working, or check-ins.

✅ Training & Development

Upskilling your team builds loyalty and drives better results.

• 📚 Training Records – Track all mandatory and optional learning.
• 💡 Development Plans – Help employees set goals and map out growth.
• 🧭 Leadership Training – Even small teams benefit from clear direction.

✅ Offboarding

Even when an employee leaves, you have legal and ethical responsibilities.

• 👋 Exit Interviews – Learn from feedback and flag any cultural or structural issues.
• 🧾 Final Pay and Benefits – Ensure any remaining holiday pay or bonuses are processed.
• 🔒 Access Removal – Revoke access to systems, software, and accounts.

Feeling Overwhelmed? We Can Help.

This checklist might feel like a lot—but the good news is, you don’t have to do it all alone.

At ADDA, we help small businesses take control of their HR with:

• ✅ Flexible outsourced HR support
• 💬 Unlimited advice via Slack with ADDA Virtual
• 📄 Custom policy development and document templates
• 🎓 Training resources and management guidance

Whether you need someone to take HR off your plate or just want a sounding board for tough decisions, our team is here to support you.

Ready to simplify your HR in 2025?

Get in touch or explore our service plans to see how ADDA can help.