Record keeping is just one of those things that an owner/operator of a small business may not be too diligent with. After all, they know what’s going on in the business. They’ve been doing it for a long time and can just tell others what’s what. These reasons no longer stack up and having it all in your head is not wise, nor is it good business practice.

For one, having it all in your head reduces the value of your business if you were to try and sell it (you can’t hand over your brain!). But more importantly it may mean you are not following sound practices and are not able to prove how thorough you are in your processes, particularly for health and safety.

Diverse changes in employment law will happen over the next 18 months and small businesses in particular are being advised to take note. They need to get up to speed on the new legislation quickly and hospitality along with primary industries such as dairy and farming have shown poor record keeping in the past.

With health and safety for example, hospitality businesses may be using a food safety system and be audited on it by their local council, however, they may not have a workplace health and safety plan. How about a fire safety plan? There have been a few restaurant fires over the past few months in New Zealand so it is certainly a high risk when there are chemicals and heat in place.

There is no avoiding it. Under the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, businesses, directors and workers have their own responsibilities to keep people healthy and safe at work. The Act also requires everyone to work together to improve health and safety. As a small business, your health and safety plan needs to fit and be relevant. It won’t be the same as Rainbow’s End fun park or Waikato Regional Council but should be just right.

Find out more about what you need to do as a business owner at:

http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/hswa/working-together/business/business

And contact us on 0800 023 789.