Employing my first member of staff - Advice please

[ATV]

Would appreciate some advice from people who had to deal with employees please

I'm about to take on my first member of staff for an admin position. Basically I run my own sales company and have handled everything myself for the last 4 years apart from the accountancy and book-keeping which is farmed out to a really good local accountant.

He's been advising me strongly to take on a member of staff for a while now because the paperwork is getting bigger and I'm having to work long evenings and weekends to catch up on all the invoicing and VAT receipts.

Before I've had chance to speak to a recruitment agency, I've had an applicant come in through word of mouth. From the CV, telephone conversation and introduction letter she looks like a very strong candidate. She's 45, loads of experience working in offices, well educated, has all the skill sets I think I need for my admin post. She's coming in on Friday for an interview and she's given me 3 references from her previous employers. Currently she's self-employed working as a contractor for 2 local firms and her contracts run out at the end of the month, she says she is looking for a more permanent position. Her expected salary

I'd just like to get some pointers from you guys about what kinds of questions I should be asking her in the interview to gauge her suitability and also what I should ask from her references when I ring them tomorrow. Anything I should look out for, any red flags? And also any questions I'm not allowed to ask. I was a bit curious as to her family status as I may ask her to travel a fair bit on my behalf to meet my clients and was wondering if she'd be willing to stay away from her kids (if she has any) if she had to travel to Scotland etc.

Also I'm a bit wary about having an outsider come into my office so was wondering if confidentiality clauses are worth drafting up?

Finally how far do you go in trusting your employees? I'm a bit wary of leaving her with passwords to bank accounts and statements but I can see a gradually "creeping" effect coming into place where I'd get her to handle ALL the back office work whilst I concentrated on sales, (if she's really good) so was wondering if you had any experiences with regards to that

Thanks

[condor]

I've been a retail manager for many years, and except when I've been on holiday have always banked the money myself. On return from holiday have also checked that all bankings had been correctly carried out. Our Head office also had a back-up procedure to ensure that the branches/managers were banking the correct amounts. I think you'd have to always keep your eye on the banking side of things.
Although middle-age women tend to be very low risk.

Write a job description ( if you haven't done already) and include the travel to Scotland...and the catch all 'any other services that might come up' type clause.
Have a look at other Company contracts and then tailor it to your own business. You're just at the interview stage as yet, but put in a 3 month probationary period, with a review after the 3 months. If needs be you can always extend the probationary period if you're unsure.

If she comes recommended, chances are that she's good