Recruitment - pay... yes or No?

Let's chat about something that’s super important for the health of our dive centres: recruiting scuba instructors and divemasters. It’s easy to lean on friends or acquaintances when making hiring decisions, but let’s dive into why that might not be the best approach for your business in the long run.

The Risks of Relying on Friends

We’ve all heard stories about instructors getting paid as little as £2 per student or doing it as favours, and while hiring friends might feel like a win initially, it can lead to some slippery slopes. You might celebrate a low wage bill today, but what happens when things go south?

Legal and Financial Implications

Without proper contracts or employment agreements, you’re opening the door to a whole world of trouble:

• Lack of Accountability: When instructors aren’t formally employed, it’s tough to hold them accountable. If something goes wrong or a safety standard isn’t met, how do you address it? You can not give a ‘disciplinary’ with no contract, because the person hasn’t been given a contractual agreement on how they should behaviour, act or treat people.

• Tribunals: What happens when you fall out with your friends who have been instructing for you, you’ve been giving them a token gesture for helping you out and they decide they want to be paid for what they have done? An employment tribunal isn’t going to take ‘they were doing me a favour’ in lieu of pay - they will work out what they should be owed and you will have to pay them, so you will have that plus HRMC.

• HMRC Scrutiny: If you’re using voluntary staff without proper registration, you could attract unwanted attention from tax authorities. Trust me, you don’t want fines and penalties crashing on your desk! These fines can be hefty - 

• Safety Regulations: Whether you see yourself as a club or a business, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK holds you to certain standards. Providing perks to voluntary staff—like free air fills or discounts—can complicate things if you feel that this takes you out of being held to the standard.

The Value of Proper Contracts

Let’s talk about contracts for a second. Having solid agreements in place for your dive masters and instructors isn’t just a box to tick; it’s essential for a smooth operation. A well-drafted contract lays out expectations, responsibilities, and compensation. It protects both you and your staff, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Plus, it’s a professional touch that shows you value your team!

Why Work Twice as Hard for the Same Money?

Now, let’s think about the workload. Why would anyone want to do double the work for the same pay? It’s a recipe for burnout! When instructors are stretched thin, trying to teach twice as many students for the same salary, you’re not just risking their well-being; you’re also compromising your dive center's reputation.

When instructors are overworked, corners tend to get cut. Instead of focusing on providing quality training, they might just be ticking off a list of skills without genuinely teaching students how to dive. That’s not the experience you want for your customers, right?

The Value of Paid Instructors

1. Full Accountability: When you pay your instructors, they know they’re part of a team with clear expectations. This fosters a professional environment where safety and quality take centre stage.

2. Passion and Commitment: Instructors who are compensated are more likely to be passionate about their roles. They’ve invested time and money to become certified and are genuinely motivated to provide quality instruction.

3. Attracting Talent: By presenting diving as a viable career instead of just a hobby, we can attract a new wave of instructors. This could help tackle the global shortage of qualified instructors and elevate the whole industry.

4. Fair Pricing and Quality Instruction: Paying your instructors allows you to set reasonable course prices without sacrificing quality. When instructors are incentivised to teach fewer students, they can focus on delivering a richer learning experience.
   

Conclusion: The Right Choice for Your Dive Center

So, what’s the takeaway here? As a dive centre owner, your responsibility isn’t just to your bottom line, but to the safety and satisfaction of your students. Paying your instructors isn’t just the ethical choice; it’s a smart move that fosters a professional atmosphere and enhances the overall experience for everyone involved.

When you’re pondering whether to compensate your staff, remember: it’s a big YES!

If you would like to do some pre set up for your dive centre or to go through your current recruitment process - get in touch!

As a dive centre owner of many years who has always paid staff from the start, and with 15 years experience within the recruitment sector prior to this - I can help with your recruitment documentation and making sure your process and system is water tight!