UK arrangements do not simply transfer

The people side is often the biggest surprise. A well-established UK company may naturally want to reproduce its UK employment terms in America, but that isn't always practical or commercially sensible. Pay, healthcare, retirement benefits, annual leave, employment contracts and expectations can be very different, and they also vary by state. The aim should be to be a good employer in the US market, with a competitive and appropriate package for the roles and locations involved, rather than copying the UK arrangements line by line. You can retain your values while adapting how you put them into practice.

Think about people early

I'd encourage businesses to think earlier about the people they will need and how they will manage them. US pay, leave, healthcare, retirement benefits, employment terms and workplace expectations don't simply mirror the UK. State-by-state rules also matter, particularly with employees working remotely. Another important question is who will lead the US relationships day to day. Some founders or senior leaders may need to spend significant time there, which raises practical and immigration questions. We have experience of coordinating these issues with US-based colleagues and specialist immigration lawyers.

Questions to resolve before hiring

  • Which roles are needed, in which locations, and who will manage them?
  • What is a competitive overall package for those roles and markets?
  • How will payroll, benefits and recurring employee administration work?
  • Which state-specific employment and registration questions need professional advice?
  • Who will lead US customer relationships day to day?
  • Will a founder or senior leader need to spend time in the US, and what specialist immigration advice is required?

Plan the ongoing administration as well as recruitment

Hiring creates recurring work: payroll, benefits coordination, employee records, accounting and management reporting. Agree who owns that work and how the US arrangements will connect to the UK team.

How Forthway helps

Forthway can support payroll, employee and benefits administration, coordinate the relevant specialist advisers and keep the practical financial work connected to the wider business. The scope is agreed around the client’s needs.

This is general business guidance. Legal, tax, employment and immigration requirements depend on the circumstances and should be reviewed with the appropriate specialist advisers.