In business, especially in these turbulent times, the worldwide coronavirus pandemic is still threatening the longevity and solvency of companies across the entire spectrum of industries, human resources employees and the HR department as a whole has never been more important. With human resources so clearly in the spotlight, now, with the arrival of a brand-new year, is the perfect time to overhaul and streamline your human resources department, and this article will tell you how to do just that.
The Fundamental Elements of Human Resources
Whether you are the manager of a small company or a larger national or even international business, no matter what the size and scope, human resources is universally one of the most complex and hard-to-run departments of all.
The fundamental aspects involved within the running of a successful, efficient, and ultimately productive human resources department involve:
- Employee training and development
- Health and safety rules and regulations in the workplace
- Recruitment and hiring processes
- Flawless and efficient performance management
- Conflict resolution
- The maintaining and monitoring of a positive work culture
- Planning of everything involved within human resources
- Detailed and effective career guidance
- Correct management of rewards and benefits frameworks
- Administrative responsibilities
A successful and forward-thinking HR manager is responsible for the proactive application and management of all ten duties above, as well as a host of additional duties. A human resources manager is also responsible for hosting in-house recruitment events, heightening brand awareness within the employment pool, implanting and indeed designing company policies and procedures, setting clear and achievable goals for the HR team, and tracking the progress of the entire department.
Outsource Your HR Responsibilities
By far the most cost-effective and relatively simple way to ensure your human resources department is as streamlined and efficient as possible is to outsource the entire duty to a reputable and renowned third-party company that can cast an objective and expert eye on your current working methods.
There are a wide plethora of amazing benefits to this course of action, including the exposure and usage of innovative HR software, considerable savings in both time and money, and a significantly enhanced level of employee motivation and satisfaction.
Utilize Cloud-Based HR Systems
As with everything else associated and involved with the modern world of business, technology is always at the forefront.
Upgrading your software packages and fundamental systems that are used by and in conjunction with other tools within your HR department to the latest technologies will redefine the entire sector of your business and substantially increase both its productivity and efficiency levels.
Develop Social Media Platforms
Social media is one of the leading tools in reaching customers, both recurring and potential ones, but what many business owners and managers fail to realize is that social media can also work proverbial wonders for your HR department too.
There is a myriad of ways that developing and utilizing your social media platforms can positively enhance your HR, which include but are in no way limited to:
- Contextual and effective advertising and marketing schemes
- Quickly and efficiently assembling your workforce
- Introducing a work-based intranet within one social media platform
- Communicate immediately with one or a group of employees
- Positively boost employee connection and loyalty to the company
- Publicly commend and show gratitude to outstanding members of the workforce
Invest in Effective & Motivating Employee Reward Programs
As a successful business manager, hopefully you are already explicitly aware that punishment as a motivation pails into insignificance when it comes to incentivizing and energizing your workforce.
The more connected and appreciated each and every individual within your company feels, the more motivated and subsequently productive and efficient each member of your workforce will become.
Depending entirely on the nature of your business and the industry in which it operates, there is a virtually endless list of options for motivating, incentivizing, and rewarding your employees. Proven to be effective suggestions along these lines include unlimited or at least increased sick leave days, paid time off, on-site entertainment, discounts for local gymnasiums and swimming pools, and target-based meal vouchers for local restaurants.
Employee Holiday Allocation
As a successful business manager, you will already be fully aware of the supreme importance of ensuring each member of your workforce, to the best of your ability at least, maintains a healthy and positive work-life balance.
When it comes to members of your workforce taking some valuable time off, be that a few days’ holiday, a week or two, or even a day to themselves, your holiday process and subsequent authorization process from managers and department heads should be as efficient and easy as possible. Additionally, implementing a holiday notification system to remind your employees to take their owed holiday days is an excellent idea moving forward.
Optimize Your Hiring Process
In this modern world of business, not to mention owing to the current attitudes to work due to the ongoing impact of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, potential recruits are searching for a positive working environment and one that complements their life rather than becomes it.
Subsequently, one of the most effective ways to streamline your human resources department in 2022 is to revolutionize and optimize your hiring and recruitment processes.
Tested and proven-to-be effective ways of improving your overall recruitment processes include, but are categorically in no way limited to:
- Abandoning the cringeworthy and ultimately pointless ‘magic’ questions such as ‘What animal would you be?’ and ‘If you were a color, which one would you be, and why?’
- Commencing social media background checks
- Involving department heads in the recruitment process
- Focusing on the specific job requirements for that particular role
- Clearly outlining, defining, and explaining your position
- Adding a test period for the best candidates before the role is given officially
- Finding out why the potential candidate left their previous job role and company
- Encouraging them to ask you as many questions as they like
Also read: 5 Signs You Should Consider HR Outsourcing Services
