Hiring first employee2025-09-12T11:44:57+02:00

Hiring your first employee

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Hiring your first employee is a milestone for any entrepreneur. At the same time, it entails various administrative obligations. We advise new employers on setting up an efficient HR policy.

What formalities do you need to complete when hiring your first employee?

As an employer, you are required to complete, among other things, the following documents:

  • Dimona notification
    Both the start and the end of an employment must be reported to the NSSO via an electronic Dimona notification, which is mandatory.

  • Labour Regulations
    The labour regulations outline the mutual rights and obligations of employer and employee such as working hours, working schedules, procedure for absence due to illness, annual leave, possible sanctions,…

  • Employment agreement
    The employment agreement sets out the individual terms agreed upon between employer and employee, including the working hours, place of employment and the agreed remuneration package.

Our mission? A worry-free first hire

Administrative follow-up

We follow up on all obligations when hiring staff. From drafting the employment agreement and labor regulations to joining an external health & safety service.

Social and legal advice

We will guide you through labor and social security legislation and keep you informed of relevant changes.

A smooth and efficient payroll

We take care of the payroll calculation, the complete payroll processing and the related administration.

A customized wage policy

Starting with meal vouchers? Advice on mobility? We work out a fiscally advantageous approach.

Strategic HR consulting

Should you hire a permanent employee, freelancer or student worker? We provide advice on the best solution and the potential benefits for your HR policy.

HR outsourcing

Outsourcing your HR tasks? Our experts ensure the smooth follow-up of your administrative HR and legal obligations.

Why partner with Baker Tilly?

1

Multidisciplinary team

As a one-stop shop for payroll and HR services, we respond flexibly to the needs within your company. Setting up a wellbeing policy, processing your payroll administration in your accounting system or additional tax advice, our multidisciplinary team will be happy to assist.

2

Strategic sounding board

Each company is unique. Our team therefore always start from the needs of your company. We think strategically about further optimizations within your HR policy.

3

One contact person

Do you have questions or need additional advice? Thanks to a central contact person, you are assured of smooth and efficient communication. Moreover, we proactively inform you about issues relevant to your sector.

Which premiums and NSSO rebates can you qualify for with a first-time employee?

Hiring your first employee also requires an investment. Fortunately, there are several support measures available.

  • NSSO reduction for first employee
    New employers can, under certain conditions, benefit from an NSSO reduction of up to €3,100 per quarter for their first employee, with no time limit. Temporary NSSO reductions apply for the second and third employees.

  • Regional support measures
    Depending on the region where your company is located, you may be eligible for additional support. For example, in Flanders there are social security reductions for hiring job seekers with limited recent and sustained work experience.

Frequently asked questions about hiring your first employee

What are the first steps if I want to hire an employee?2025-09-11T15:56:14+02:00
  1. Start by creating a clear profile: which skills are essential? What does the job description look like? Do you need someone with or without experience? Based on this, you write a job vacancy.
  2. Also, map out the personnel costs and check whether they fit within your organization’s budget.
  3. Don’t forget the legal obligations, either. As an employer, you are required to prepare, among other things, labour regulations, an employment agreement, and a monthly pay slip.

By preparing these things properly, you will be ready to smoothly onboard a new employee.

Do I need to draft labour regulation as of the first employee?2025-09-11T15:58:00+02:00

Yes, when hiring your first employee, you are required to draft labour regulations.

How quickly can I get my first employee start?2025-09-11T15:59:08+02:00

How quickly your first employee can start depends on several factors.

  • First and foremost, all legal formalities must be completed.
  • Additionally, you may need to take into account your new employee’s notice period before an actual start is possible.
What is the difference between white collar worker, self-employed, student worker and blue collar worker?2025-09-11T16:05:52+02:00
  • A student worker is at least 15 years old and works under a student agreement. He or she may work a maximum of 650 hours per calendar year and earn up to €15,100. As long as these limits are not exceeded, the student pays little or no taxes or social contributions.
  • A self-employed person does not work under an employment agreement.. He or she invoices as a natural person (or through a company) and is responsible for managing his or her own social security contributions, insurance and taxes.
  • Both white-collar and blue-collar workers have employment agreements, but the difference lies in the nature of the work. This distinction affects pay, notice periods and vacation pay, among other things.
    • A blue collar worker mainly performs manual labor.
    • A white collar worker primarily performs office work (administrative work, intellectual work).
How much does it cost to hire a first employee?2025-09-11T16:07:43+02:00

The total employer cost depends on several factors:

  • The gross salary is the full salary amount agreed between employer and employee before deduction of taxes, social contributions and so on. The gross should at least match the legal minimum wage scales, based on experience, position and sector.
  • Social Security contributions are calculated as a percentage of the gross salary and fund social benefits such as health care, paid leave and pension.
  • Extra-legal benefits such as meal vouchers and hospitalisation and group insurance, and others can be part of the remuneration package. These are attractive to employees and often tax beneficial.
  • Additionally, as an employer, you can provide certain expense reimbursements to compensate employees for costs they incur while performing their work under the employment contract. These reimbursements can often be made on a flat-rate basis (lump-sum) or based on supporting documents. Indirect costs such as training, work materials and mandatory insurance can also impact the overall employer costs.

Together with you, we map out the expected costs of hiring your first employee. Additionally, we will look into whether you qualify for additional support measures and reductions.

What types of support measures are available when hiring staff?2025-09-11T16:09:41+02:00

In addition to the social security reduction for a first hire, there are numerous support measures from the Flemish Government, such as:

  • discount for hiring long-term unemployed individuals without recent sustainable work experience
  • withholding tax exemptions
  • specific target group reductions for certain sectors

Take the first step toward growth today.

Our financial experts are ready to guide your business in a changing world. We provide solutions that work, now and in the future.

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