Guide to staff management on website

With the revised Agricultural Wages Order due out shortly, DairyCo has launched a new People Management section on its website to help dairy farmers ensure they’re doing everything right.

Employing and managing staff can be one of the most stressful parts of being a dairy farmer, says Kate Cross, DairyCo product manager. “This new section has been developed specifically to help farmers manage all aspects of these sometimes tricky tasks.”

The new area offers comprehensive information to help farmers employ the right staff or student and gives useful information on using self-employed staff.

The People Management section also links in with the DairyCo labour management templates which provide sample vacancy and employment documents. These range from sample recruitment adverts to a disciplinary policy and a holiday entitlement calculator.

There is also information on subjects such as benefits in kind and appraisals, as well as links to useful organisations like Business Link and the HSE.

“Labour accounts for the second highest cost in producing a litre of milk so it makes sense to get the right people and retain them as happy, motivated staff,” says Ms Cross.

The information can all be reached via the Farm Info section of the DairyCo website, www.dairyco.org.uk.