Back To Basics

Crucial HR Best Practices You Must Know!

There are so may HR trends out there and technology and automation require that we keep up the pace in what seems to be a forever changing environment.

And I’m all about keeping with the times and using modern methods but sometimes it’s just best to stick to the basics.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure that your HR process is in place:

1.        Define your People Strategy

Your HR plan needs to match your business goals and vision. It should explain your company's values, culture, rules, and how you handle people issues. Make sure it also talks about what you offer your employees, like benefits and room to grow. This should set you apart from your competitors and be part of your retention strategy.

Oh, and once you define this, don’t forget to communicate it!

2.        Hire the Right People

You can teach skills but you can’t always teach behaviour so getting the right people on your team is super important for your business to do well. Figure out the skills, qualities, and personalities that will be a good fit. Find ways to find the right people and select them. Check their backgrounds, do references, and chat with them to make sure they're a good match. Culture fit is key! Doing this right can save you lots of time, money, and stress down the road. And once you find them, don’t hesitate. Hire them right away!

3.        Train and Develop your People

Making sure your employees learn and get better at their jobs is important. Give them the tools, offer support, get out of their way and watch them flourish. Your workplace should be about learning, so that employees are excited to try new things and learn new skills. When you help people learn and grow, they'll stick around longer and work harder. That’s what you call loyalty!

4.        Reward and Recognize

It's so important to make people feel valued and motivated. Set up a fair pay system that matches their skills and how well they do their job. Offer other perks too, like flexible schedules, benefits, chances to move up and learning opportunities. Choice and flexibility have become the new currency so be ready to negotiate. Keep the communication lines open - doing this helps create a happy and supportive workplace.

5.        Manage Performance and Feedback

When people are doing a good job – tell them! When they are making mistakes and could improve on certain areas – tell them that too. Constructive feedback is important and should be ongoing. Give them clear goals that they can measure and reach. Keep an eye on how they're doing and talk to them regularly about how they can do better. And don’t forget to offer help, support and the necessary tools to succeed in their job.  This helps keep everyone accountable and makes communication so much better.

6.        Comply with Laws and Regulations

The last thing you need is a legal headache. Following laws and being compliant are a must to steer clear of legal problems and fines. Know the rules that affect your business, make sure your policies follow these rules and teach your employees about their rights and duties. Doing this helps keep your reputation and honesty intact.

And if you don’t know about the rules and applicable laws, just ask! An HR Consultant - like me - can be an extended arm in your business and can guide you on compliance.

So, what does all this mean for you:

These simple best practices will help you attract, retain, motivate, and develop your people, and will help you avoid costly mistakes that can lead to legal problems.

It may not always seem possible or be easy to implement, but it’s a proven formula to ensure your people issues are taken care of.