Top HR Tips for Croydon's Businesses

Do you have a business in Croydon? Over the last 25 years, Croydon has become a hub of activity in the south east, with it being a commuter hotspot and almost becoming a business hub for companies in London.

However, with this boon in growth and financial flexibility, there comes the complication with human resources, or HR, which can make it tougher than ever to stay ahead in this delta hub.

So, if you are in Croydon, and want some tips on how to run your HR, read on!

Outsource!

Why would you want to outsource your HR department?

Well, if you are a smaller business, you may not have the money or the space to hire an entire HR team, which could lead to you having issues with compliance and HR law in the UK. So, it is well worth looking to outsource HR if you can, which will ensure that you are ticking all of the regulatory boxes, without needing the office space or the cost of a full-time team. When you opt to work with an outsourced team, like the HR Dept in Croydon, you will pay less for the professional help and will have the freedom to use them as and when you need to.

Of course, irrespective of the team that you outsource to, make sure that they are trained in your area of business, to make sure that you get the right help.

Have a Strong Onboarding Process

When you have gotten new staff into your organisation, the last thing you will want to do is lose them a few weeks in.

So, aim to make sure that you have a strong onboarding process. For most businesses that are in and around London, this will usually involve both physical and digital onboarding to ensure that all of the new staff are trained in the processes of your business. Of course, if you are only hiring one staff member and it’s for a job in a shop, you will need to do most (if not all) of the onboarding in person, which will help them and you to assess their strengths and weaknesses on the job.

Weak or lacking onboarding processes can and do drive new staff away, which can lead to quick staff turnover. This doesn’t look good for you or your business, and, as staff are now able to leave reviews about different workplaces, you could end up with a negative staff review on Glassdoor, which can cause the next round of hiring to stagnate.

Use Data and Metrics

Croydon is on the outskirts of London, with it now possible to commute to or from London Bridge in under 20 minutes.

This means that the metrics and measurement tactics that are used in the big city will seep through into your business, irrespective of what you are selling. It is therefore wise to use data and other measurements to look at all aspects of your business, such as staff absences, turnover, and how much each hire costs versus how much they add. This may sound harsh, but it allows you to spot trends early and even select the right staff for promotion.

You should always use data to make decisions, relating to everything from staff pay to sick leave, so be sure to get some data-based HR models on board to help you run your business smoothly.

Ensure Compliance

A core part of the role of HR is to ensure that the business is up to date with compliance.

In 2025, there has been a shake-up in employment law, which will echo into 2026. Known as the Employment Rights Bill, to ensure that your business doesn’t get fined, you will need to apply the changes in this bill to your place of work. Of course, this can be helped by hiring additional help to review your contracts, workplace agreements, and so on, but, as the bill comes into effect, you will need to make sure that you are compliant with the changes, or you will face a hefty fine.

If you aren’t sure if you need help with these updates or the general running of your HR department, conduct an audit of the key documents in your HR department to assess any gaps or issues with updates.

Look Into Apprenticeships

When you need help with building your workforce, it can be useful to investigate apprenticeships.

In Croydon, and indeed, in the south-east, apprenticeship roles are well supported and can help you train staff in your area, as well as help them with career progression. You can even link this to your business and HR goals; who are the staff you will need in two to three years? You can get the staff in now, train them, and then, as your business advances to the next stage, you will have the people to hand.