The holiday season is over and it’s the start of a brand-new year, which makes it a great time to focus on some HR tasks that will make 2020 the best year yet for your business.
HR tips: How to start the new year off on the right foot
1. Record important HR dates and schedule time for learning
Use your digital calendar or planner to record important HR dates so no deadlines are missed throughout the year. You will want to record dates for annual reviews, ACA reporting deadlines, the open enrollment period, deadlines to furnish employees with forms, tax form deadlines, etc.
This is also a great month to schedule time to research 2020 HR trends and other ways that HR can help the company grow and prosper this year and beyond.
2. Review HR policies and processes
For many businesses January is a quiet month, making it a great time for HR managers to review current HR policies and procedures. For those policies and procedures not governed by laws, ask whether they are serving the company well or whether changes could be made to help the business thrive. For example, if you weren’t happy with your payroll processes in 2019, adjust them now so you aren’t stuck with a bad process for another year. Look for any legislative changes effective 2020 to ensure that your company is in compliance with employment laws. Be sure to edit your employee handbook as needed.
3. Communicate 2020 strategies, goals and process changes
January is a great time to schedule a company-wide meeting to communicate big picture goals and strategies relevant to employees for the upcoming year. From there, hold department/team meetings to explain the specific ways that their group can help the company achieve company goals. Next, work with each employee to set individual goals that will help their team/department and the company overall reach its goals. If there will be a new incentive structure, pay raises, benefits changes or new processes put in place that will affect employees, this is also a great time to communicate those changes.
4. Commit to being a bullying and harassment free workplace
An important HR role is to ensure that workers feel safe at work. This means establishing clear polices and consequences for inappropriate behavior that negatively impacts others. Commit to be a bullying and harassment free workplace by:
- Developing a policy statement on bullying and harassment and requiring all employees to read and sign it each year.
- Schedule annual training about what constitutes bullying and harassment and how managers and crew can recognize it.
- Establish a policy for how employees should report bullying and/or harassment.
- Establish a policy for how the employer will handle complaints (For example, zero tolerance, verbal warning, written warning, termination.)
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With the cost of doing business in Hawaii at record highs, we know how important it is to keep labor costs in line with revenue. Our plans are priced competitively and include value-added services like time-in/time-out systems. Our three tiers of PEO service plans are tailored to the size of your business and specific needs. We offer a 100% paperless solution which means that your employees can manage their needs through a computer, tablet or phone. We can truly improve your employees work benefits while freeing you up to run your business.
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