Starting a business is a bit like skydiving. It is thrilling, full of potential and you really want someone who knows what they are doing to help pack your parachute. That is where employment lawyers and HR consultants come in according to B P Collins and its HR2Help team.
While founders often focus on product development, fundraising and customer growth – as they should – building a solid people strategy from day one is crucial. It is not the most glamorous part of the startup journey, but it is one of the most important.
Here is how employment lawyers and HR professionals can be your behind-the-scenes superstars and help set your startup up for success and therefore growth.
Getting the foundations right: contracts, policies, and compliance
When you are hiring your first employees, contractors, or freelancers, having proper employment contracts is not just nice to have”, it is a legal requirement.
Employment lawyers help you:
- Draft legally sound contracts tailored to your startup’s needs.
- Create clear, compliant workplace policies (yes, even if your “office” is a coffee shop)
- Avoid accidental missteps that could land you in hot water later on
HR consultants complement this by ensuring policies are practical, culturally aligned, and ready to scale with your business.
Hiring smart from the start
Startups often face the “first hire” dilemma: how do you find someone whose skilled, adaptable, and okay with a bit of chaos?
HR consultants help you:
- Define roles clearly, so no one ends up being Head of Marketing and Chief Tea Maker
- Design hiring processes that attract top talent without breaking the budget.
- Navigate the world of right-to-work checks, onboarding, and probation periods, especially with the new Employment Rights Bill coming into force in 2025/2026.
An employment lawyer can also ensure you are following best practices for fair and equal hiring under employment law.
Protecting your IP and your people
Employment lawyers can protect that brilliant app, game-changing idea, or proprietary code by
- Drafting clauses to safeguard intellectual property and confidentiality
- Helping prevent disputes that could derail your startup’s growth.
And when it comes to keeping your team happy, HR consultants:
- Design fair compensation structures.
- Advise on benefits, bonuses and share schemes.
- Help create a people-first culture that employees rave about
Scaling without stumbling
Growth is exciting but hiring quickly without structure can lead to chaos. HR consultants help you:
- Build scalable HR systems such as onboarding, payroll, and performance reviews.
- Establish leadership development from the ground up.
- Maintain a strong company culture—even as you go from 5 to 50 employees.
Employment lawyers ensure all your growth steps comply with employment law, including when hiring across borders or shifting to remote-first models.
Managing the hard stuff
Even in the best teams, issues can arise such as conflicts, underperformance, or the dreaded need to make changes. Having professionals on call means:
- Employment lawyers handle sensitive disciplinary or grievance issues.
- HR consultants manage employee communications with clarity and care.
- You reduce risk and maintain your reputation while resolving challenges.
Why work with both?
Think of it like your employment lawyer protects your business and your HR consultant builds it.
- Legal guidance ensures you stay compliant and protected.
- HR strategy helps you attract, develop, and retain the best talent.
Together, they form a powerhouse that gives you peace of mind and frees you up to focus on what you do best, building your business.
Need help building your startup team?
At B P Collins LLP, we have a team of employment lawyers and HR consultants who are experts at supporting startups from their first hire to their first funding round and beyond. Whether you are writing your first contract or planning your tenth hire, we are here to help you grow the right way.
Contact us today by emailing enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk or call 01753 889995 to learn about our service to simplifying employer compliance and protect your growing business.
