Welcome to the first of my regular HR top tips columns where in each newsletter, I will share some simple, powerful and cost-effective HR tips with you - tips that are completely relevant to you as a franchisor.

So, first things first who am I? I’m a Chartered HR professional belonging to The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I have eight years of practical experience working as a HR professional within four established businesses, before launching my own HR consultancy, Eden HR Consulting. I now work with many businesses including franchisor and franchisee owned businesses.

My approach to HR is practical and wherever possible, I aim to demystify it. With that in mind, I hope that you will find the monthly HR tips, useful. It's important that I make this a column that reflects your needs, so take a look at the proposed list of topics that I will be covering. If what you are looking for with regards to HR advice, is not on this list, let me know what you would like me to cover instead.

Equally, if one or more of the topics below is relevant to you, then e-mail me with your questions around each topic and I will include my answers within the tips.

Today, no franchisor can afford to overlook the basics of employment law and health and safety. However, I really do understand why confusion arises with franchisors, thinking that because their franchisees are not employees, they don't have to take employment law and health and safety into consideration. That is not the case and because ignorance is no defence where the law is concerned, it's really important that franchisors understand what their legal obligations are - both where their franchisees are concerned and indeed, any people that they employ.

So, please send me your feedback on what you would like me to cover to info@edenhrconsulting.com and look out for my column next month!

Topics I plan to cover, sharing top tips and best practice

1. The Operations Manual - what HR information should be included in the manual and how often should it be updated?

2. Franchisee recruitment - does current employment law apply when recruiting franchisees and what are the most effective ways to recruit only the very best franchisees?

3. Franchisee Induction Training - what basic HR training is needed at the new franchisee induction stage? Does the amount and content vary depending on the franchise business model?

4. Diversity, disability and equality of opportunity - how does the law around these areas impact on franchisees running their business and also franchisors when recruiting new franchisees?

5. Disciplinary processes - Do the laws on grievance and disciplinary apply to franchisor and franchisee in the same way as they do with employer and employee relationships?

6. Increasing the value of the franchisee package without spending money - How can this be achieved?