In Belgium, there are flexible employment options such as flexi-job, assisting spouse and independent helper, which allow sole proprietors to expand and grow their team. This article will discuss the different aspects so that you can expand your sole proprietors with additional workers as soon as possible!
Freelancers versus Staff
Suppose you decide to hire staff, do you go for a freelancer or a permanent employee? We briefly list the pros and cons:
| ✅ Advantages of Freelancers | ✅ Advantages of Staff |
| Flexibility | Loyalty and commitment |
| Specific knowledge and expertise | Consistency |
| Short-term cost savings | Less administrative burden |
| No long-term commitments | More team cohesion |
Legal obligations 👩⚖️
If you want to hire staff as a self-employed person, you need to take into account a lot of legal requirements. For example, you must register as an employer with the NSSO, draw up employment contracts and regulations, report performance and wages to the NSSO, take out insurance for industrial accidents, etc.
You can find more information on the government website.
Tip:
As a sole proprietor, it is easier to hire your staff through an interim office. That office will take care of all the formalities and provide you with a simple invoice that you just have to book into your expenses.
Practical steps for hiring staff
To successfully recruit staff in your sole proprietors, there are some practical steps to follow [1]:
1️⃣ Determine the type of work force:
- Flexi-job
- Cooperating partner/helper
- Self-employed helper
- Permanent employees
2️⃣ Financial and practical considerations:
- Ensure that your company has sufficient financial resources.
- Immediate registration of employment (Dimona).
- Draw up employment contracts, work regulations, accident insurance, registration in a child benefit fund, external prevention and protection services, personnel files, and more.
3️⃣ Government subsidies for hiring staff:
- The subsidy database provides a summary of all recruitment aid measures.
- Includes grants, reductions in social security contributions, and other incentives for recruiting specifically targeted groups.
- Financial support for employee training and education, such as KMO-portefeuille grant for SMEs and self-employed people for training and advice, and Flemish training leave for training during working hours with compensation from the employer.
FAQs
Can a sole proprietor in Belgium employ staff?
Yes, a sole proprietor can hire employees. If you are hiring staff for the first time, you must register with the National Social Security Office ( NSSO) through the Employers’ Directory (WIDE).
A sole proprietor can hire staff, whereby you can effectively have a pay slip drawn up for your collaborators through a social secretariat. You can even hire unlimited employees!
The term sole proprietors has to do with the fact that the business is run by only one person, namely the entrepreneur himself. So the term does not refer to the amount of people employed.
Can I add all staff options in Dexxter?
No, in Dexxter you can of course book the invoices of freelancers or self-employed people who work for you. You can also book the invoices of an employment agency if you hire your staff through them. Other options like cooperating helper are not yet possible in Dexxter.
Does the legal form of a sole proprietorship change when hiring staff?
No, the term ‘sole proprietor’ refers to the legal form and is separate from the amount of employees you can have. You do not need to edit your legal form to hire staff within a sole proprietorship.
Tip:
Try Dexxter free through our 30-day trial!