HRxaminer - Human Resources Tips

I was creating a training program for one of my association clients. This is my third year presenting one of my favorite sessions “Ask the HRxpert.”

It’s an open forum Q&A session where the audience members get to ask me the HR questions that are first and foremost on their minds for operating their business and handling their HR issues.

While this ultimately becomes an animated discussion, it sometimes takes a few minutes of asking “who has a question?” until everyone stops worrying about whether they’re the only one with this particular HR issue. After a lot of head-nods from other business owners affirming that they are encountering the same issues, the discussion becomes so animated that people wish they had more time for the session.

To minimize the start-up delay, each year I create some sort of checklist or tips sheet to help speed up the Q&A process. This year I created a list of 50 Tips for business owners and managers to consider regarding their HR operations. It’s in random order and if I went into detail on any one of the topics each could be a newsletter article in itself. If you see a topic that you’d like me to detail in one of the upcoming HRxaminer newsletters, send me an email and I’ll add it to my list!

1. Create an HR infrastructure

2. Develop and share goals with your employees

3. Clarify roles and job descriptions

4. Manage by walking around

5. Address potential sources of conflict before they erupt

6. Survey your company’s “climate”

7. Identify your stars and reward them

8. Train your managers

9. Offer a periodic in-company social hour

10. Always get candidate references

11. Make your employees feel welcome

12. Remember: a business is only as good as the people who work in it

13. Develop an effective employee handbook

14. Use incentives other than money

15. Enforce strict attendance procedures

16. Appraise your staff regularly

17. Create a culture of good leavers

18. Stay on top of HR compliance

19. Develop a compensation program

20. Screen candidates over the telephone

21. Understand overtime pay practices

22. Continually look for strong employees, even if all your openings are filled

23. When you can’t in-source HR, out-source HR

24. Manage your personnel files

25. Create a solid new employee orientation process

Of course, if you need any help with any of the concerns above, call or email me!