Human Resources Management… it all sounds rather clinical, doesn’t it!
But as we all know, people are NOT simple machines. They are complex creatures, and managing them takes time, energy, and understanding.
The people that work in a business are its biggest asset. They can mean the difference between exponential growth and success, and mediocrity – or even failure.
Getting your HR systems and processes in order should be a top priority for any company, regardless of how many employees it has. With the right foundation, any pain points that may appear down the line are easier to manage.
Here are the most important HR basics for any business.
HR Basics – What You Need To Know
Recruitment
Skills and experience are important, but recruiting someone who is the right fit for the role and culture is equally important. When employee values align with company values, employees are happier, more productive, and more loyal. Bad hires are costly and time-consuming, so getting the right person should be a top priority.
Clear Individual Employment Agreements
To protect both the employer and employee, a solid contract is essential. Both parties should understand their rights and obligations. Employment agreements are an opportunity to legally set up the working relationship and are a crucial term of reference if any disputes should arise.
Simple, Up To Date Job Descriptions
A well-written job description is a vital part of a healthy employee/employer relationship. It is useful in the recruitment phase as it helps to match the right person to the position. But it doesn’t stop there. It also allows managers to set employee expectations and manage performance.
Without a job description, there’s no way to track, measure, or manage what your employee does in their role, which can be a recipe for disaster.
Welcome And On-Boarding
Every new employee should be given a standard induction and a chance to be appropriately welcomed into a business from day one. This allows them to review all the paperwork, understand what is expected of them, get familiar with how things work, and start integrating into the team. It also introduces them to the culture of your workplace and ensures they feel part of the team from the very start of their employment.
Handbook And Expectations
Your employee handbook is a vital tool to communicate all the most important company information succinctly and clearly. It should include company policies, health and safety information, codes of conduct, discipline and termination information, as well as any other information specific to your workplace.
Each employee should sign to indicate they have read and understood the handbook.
Regular Feedback
Every person in your business needs feedback, no matter what level they are working at. Feedback helps set goals and expectations for all parties, track progress, and nip any issues in the bud before they get too serious.
Annual performance reviews aren’t enough. Instead, try to create a culture of immediate, helpful, and honest feedback given regularly. Think one on one discussions, informal catch-ups and conversational reviews.
Training And Development
Developing and upskilling your staff is a great way to boost employee satisfaction and retention. Not only will it directly benefit your business when employees learn new skills, but the productivity and engagement that people put back into your business will be well worth the investment.
Need to nail the HR basics at your workplace? Then give us a call here at Spice HR. We can help you to create the foundation for the kind of workplace your employees love to come to. Getting the HR basics right is the first step towards a great workplace culture and a productive workforce.
Get in touch with us today.