Finding the right workers - made simple
By: Claire, redwigwam
Why hiring hourly-paid staff is a challenge
Recruiting hourly-paid and temporary staff can be a time-consuming and costly process for businesses. Whether you're in retail, hospitality, warehousing, or events, sourcing reliable, pre-vetted workers while managing employment laws can feel overwhelming—especially for small businesses without a dedicated HR team.
On top of that, UK employment laws around minimum wage, right-to-work checks, and worker entitlements continue to evolve, making compliance more critical than ever. Businesses need a solution that is fast, flexible, and legally compliant—without the high costs of traditional recruitment agencies.
That’s where subscription-based staffing comes in.
A smarter way to hire: The subscription staffing model
At redwigwam, we’ve developed a simple, cost-effective subscription model that allows businesses to access a pool of pre-vetted, ready-to-work candidates without the usual hiring headaches.
🔹 Post unlimited jobs and get matched with workers in minutes
🔹 Reduce no-shows with our worker reliability tracking
🔹 No long-term contracts, no hidden fees—just on-demand hiring when you need it
For businesses that need quick access to flexible workers, this model is a game-changer. Instead of paying high recruitment fees for each new hire, you can post as many jobs as you need for one affordable monthly fee.
The legal side of hiring hourly-paid staff in the UK
While finding workers quickly is crucial, hiring must also be legally compliant. The UK has strict employment laws to protect workers, and failing to follow them can lead to heavy fines, reputational damage, and legal action.
Here are the key legal areas businesses must consider when hiring hourly-paid workers:
1. National Minimum Wage & Holiday Pay
All workers in the UK must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW), depending on their age. Employers must also ensure that workers receive the correct holiday pay, even if they are on zero-hours contracts.
💡 Did you know? Holiday pay is calculated based on an average of earnings over the past 52 weeks, even for temporary workers.
2. Right to Work Checks
Employers must verify that every worker has the legal right to work in the UK. This includes checking valid passports, visas, or UK settlement status. Failing to conduct these checks can lead to fines of up to £20,000 per illegal worker.
3. Worker Classification & Employment Rights
Businesses must correctly classify staff as either employees, workers, or self-employed to ensure they receive the right benefits, pay, and protections under employment law. Misclassification can result in legal disputes and penalties.
🔹 Employees – Entitled to full benefits, including sick pay, holiday pay, and notice periods
🔹 Workers (including temp staff & zero-hours workers) – Entitled to minimum wage, holiday pay, and rest breaks
🔹 Self-Employed Contractors – Have no employment rights but must meet specific criteria to avoid misclassification
📌 Redwigwam ensures all workers are classified correctly and receive their entitlements, so businesses don’t have to worry about compliance.
How redwigwam helps businesses stay compliant
Many businesses struggle to keep up with complex employment laws while trying to manage staffing shortages. Redwigwam takes the hassle out of hiring by handling all the legal aspects of recruitment, including:
✅ Ensuring workers meet UK right-to-work requirements
✅ Managing payroll, tax, and National Insurance contributions
✅ Paying workers correctly and on time
✅ Tracking worker reliability to reduce no-shows
With one simple subscription, businesses can hire flexible, reliable staff while staying 100% compliant with UK employment laws.
Why more businesses are choosing subscription staffing
The traditional recruitment process is slow, costly, and often unreliable for businesses needing short-term or hourly-paid staff. Subscription-based hiring offers:
✔ Cost Savings – No high recruitment fees, just a predictable monthly cost
✔ Faster Hiring – Post jobs and get matched with pre-vetted workers in minutes
✔ Flexibility – Hire when you need staff, scale up or down based on demand
✔ Legal Compliance – All workers are pre-screened, with payroll and legal checks managed for you
For businesses that struggle with last-minute absences, seasonal demand, or high staff turnover, this model provides a low-risk, high-reward solution.
Final thoughts: Is subscription staffing right for your business?
The UK workforce is evolving, and businesses need to adapt to flexible hiring solutions to stay competitive. Whether you're a small retailer needing extra hands over Christmas or a warehouse struggling to fill shifts, a subscription-based staffing model could be the answer.
🔹 Less admin, lower costs, and more control over your workforce.
If your business is ready to explore a smarter way to hire, it’s time to consider subscription staffing.