8 Helpful HR Tips For Businesses

Your staff is the engine that drives the success of your business; they are your most important asset. As such, HR concerns should always be a top priority. Developing and maintaining a positive culture in the work environment is critical if your employees are to perform at their best. That is why we put together a list of eight tips to help with HR concerns ranging from bringing someone new onboard to exit strategies for departing employees.

8 Helpful HR Tips For Businesses:

Tip #1. Draw Up Job Descriptions - If you want the right person for the job, any job, you need to have a detailed job description that includes level of skill needed, prior experience required and whether or not further training will be necessary.

Tip #2. Use Trade Publications When Hiring - One of the best ways to get the attention of a top candidate is to advertise through a specialist or trade publication. People who are passionate about their line of work tend to subscribe to relevant publications about their field.

Tip #3. Follow-up With References - Never hesitate to ask for references when hiring a new employee; previous employers can be an extremely valuable resource. Also, be sure to contact them via phone as opposed to e-mail or letter, as you are more likely to reach them that way.

Tip #4. Make New Hires Feel Welcome - First impressions are always important, especially in the workplace. If a new hire is brought into the fold feeling unwelcome, it will negatively affect their productivity. It usually takes 60 to 90 days for new hires to acclimate, so make sure you do everything you can to make them feel welcome during that period.

Tip #5. Stay In Touch With The Team - Strong team bonds make for more positive work attitudes. Team communication is crucial for maintaining productivity, so keep everyone in the loop and keep in contact regularly via meetings, e-mails and even a bulletin board.

Tip #6. Be Creative With Incentives - Competitive positions, such as sales, need not be incentivized with monetary bonuses. Benefits like job-share and flexi-hours can be just as appealing to employees, since it allows them to have more control over their work life.

Tip #7. Be Consistent When Enforcing Company Policies - Despite differences in job titles and responsibilities, the workplace should be a level playing field where everyone follows the same rules. State policies clearly in a staff handbook and make sure rules are enforced equally throughout the company.

Tip #8. Provide An Exit Interview - Having an exit interview is a smart way to learn more about your work culture and identify any problems you ought to address. Exit interviews also help minimize anything negative being said about the company later.

Executive Summary: At any business, the people who handle HR issues are expected to wear a lot of hats. They must be able to facilitate the hiring of a new employee, maintain a positive work culture at all times and be able to make sure employees who leave the company do so on a good note. Because of this, businesses need to make HR a top priority since a business is only as strong as its people.