Happy New Year! You're probably sick of hearing that now - particularly given that we are being told what a miserable year it is likely to be economically!

However, as has been well documented lately it is a time of year when employees who are not happy in their job make a concerted effort to find a new one. It is also the time of year when employers resolve to get their employment issues sorted out.

Any employer who has not yet got contracts of employment in place should tackle the issue now! Those who do have should make sure that they are up to date in this ever changing world of employment law. I certainly offer a free employment law health check, as I am sure do many others, there is really no excuse for not getting your employment documentation in order.

Employees looking for a new job need to understand what the whole package means to them. These days employees are just as interested in the benefits of the job as well as the job itself and the salary. A lot more turns on how many holidays are offered, whether there is a contributory pension scheme, or private health insurance, for example. Good employers should ensure that the whole package is attractive to potential employees.

The moral of today's story? Review your documentation and policies. If you haven't got any - put them in place! An employer who ignores the basics of employment law will eventually end up paying through the nose!