The Human Resources department manages issues that can cost companies a tremendous amount of money if not handled properly by all managers, supervisors and employees in an organization. Below are 5 tips that will help your company navigate tricky HR issues and hopefully avoid a costly audit, investigation or lawsuit.
Transcript of Slides
Slide 1
5 Steps to Managing Costly Human Resources Issues
The Human Resources department manages issues that can cost companies a tremendous amount of money if not handled properly by all managers, supervisors and employees in an organization. Below are 5 tips that will help your company navigate tricky HR issues and hopefully avoid a costly audit, investigation or lawsuit.
Slide 2
- Know the law.
HR laws vary from state to state, so be sure that you are enforcing the appropriate laws. If your company operates in more than one state, then be sure your organization understands the how the states differs from the state in which the home office operates.
Having a policy manual for each state is also highly recommended. This will help to insure your organization is compliant – especially in states with tougher laws. By State policy and procedures also help to minimize confusion between employees who may work in different states, and are therefore treated differently.
Slide 3
- Publish an HR handbook for all employees.
Publishing a handbook for all employees will ensure that everyone understands what the policies are and how they will be enforced. Without having this written record, employees may be, or may claim to be, confused about requirements or actions carried out by managers. A solid handbook serves as a go-to instrument for answering questions and solving problems are they arise.
Slide 4
- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.
When HR issues arise, be sure that your company and HR department learn from the experience, and communicate your newfound knowledge to employees. Obviously, it is not always prudent to divulge all the details, but if possible, communicate with managers and supervisors what the HR department learns along the way.
Avoid burying knowledge or hoping the rest of the company will learn through some sort of magical HR Wifi.
Slide 5
- Be consistent.
If you are not consistently enforcing HR policies company-wide, employees will be confused and may feel discrimination is in play.
One example of frequent inconsistency is the interview process. When interviewing internal or external candidates for vacant positions, be sure you follow a consistent set of procedures. Do not ask one candidate more difficult questions or tailor interview questions on the spot based on sex, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other protected class without a qualified BFOQ. (Bona Fide Occupational Qualification)
Slide 6
- Educate your employees.
Many HR issues surface simply because employees are not aware of the laws and rules that guide an organization. Simply educating your employees shows the company values them as intelligent human beings. When workers feel valued and respected they are more likely follow the policies and be more cooperative during times of disagreement.
Gather employees at least annually to review policies and procedures that affect everyone in the company. This training should be mandatory. Making portions of this training available online will benefit new employees, as well as, facilitate annual refresher training.
Slide 7
Employment law is a complicated puzzle.
There are many legal issues that can arise in your company – no matter how large or small your business. Following these 5 basic guidelines will help ensure that your HR compliance is secure and legal or ethical concerns are managed effectively.
Slide 8
HR professionals spend their days HELPING. Employers and Employees rely on HR to be fair and knowledgeable. But, is there enough time in the day to accomplish everything necessary for operating a solid HR department?
Who Helps the Helper when the Helper Needs Help?
HelpDesk Compliance Tool-Kits are designed to assist employers and HR professionals with employment law compliance by providing done-for you job aides like templates, document samples, checklists, FAQs, policy and procedure samples, employment laws by state, alerts to breaking employment law news, and so much more. The subject matter experts for HelpDesk also assist their members with researching difficult scenarios and answering questions via their email support service – AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. HelpDesk is truly your One-and-Done solution to employment law compliance.
Click this link to find out how you can become a HelpDesk member.
Until Next Time, Be Audit Secure!
Lisa Smith
