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Steps to Avoid Common HR Mistakes
Aug 22, 2022 9:00:00 AM
Employer regulations at the local, state and federal levels have been increasing, the workforce is becoming more dynamic, the expectations of managers are more complex, and many businesses are trying to do more with less.
Common HR mistakes include:
- Not having standard hiring practices
- Ineffective new hire onboarding
- Compliance with wage and hour rules
- Outdated Employee Handbook
- Lack of management training
- Poor documentation
Here are some steps to avoid these common mistakes:
1. Hiring
Hiring the right talent for the right position can be crucial to business success. Implementing a process to improve hiring decisions can have a positive impact on the outcome.
Create and follow a hiring process that includes:
- A detailed job description
- A best-fit candidate profile checklist
- Standard and measurable interview questions
- A system to compare candidates based on job requirements
2. New Hire Onboarding
In anticipation of your new hire’s start date, plan a schedule so your new hire knows you have prepared for their arrival and they know what to expect for their first week.
Be sure to allow time for the new hire to meet their co-workers and members of the management team. Schedule any job training that needs to take place. Perhaps assign the employee a Buddy or Mentor.
3. Wage and Hour Regulations
Be aware of regulations around comp time, calculation of overtime, deductions for salaried-exempt employees, inappropriate payroll deductions, rounding time for hourly employees, and the recording of actual time worked.
Some companies may make errors in classifying a position as exempt when it doesn’t meet the proper FLSA requirements. When in doubt, employees can be paid as non-exempt hourly employees and abide by overtime after 40 hours. Check out this Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employee guide from resources available on MyFrankCrum.
4. Employee Handbook
Your employee handbook should be current and reflect policies that are in line with actual practice. Handbooks should be reviewed annually. Regulatory policies on “at-will employment,” discrimination, harassment, leaves, drugs and alcohol, and background checks all must be in line with federal, state, and local laws. Be sure to obtain a signed acknowledgment of receipt for each employee.
5. Management Training
Confident managers lead more productive teams. Invest the time in training your managers on essential management skills.
- Managing employee expectations
- Providing constructive feedback
- Writing and delivering performance reviews
- Setting and measuring goals
- Managing poor performance
These topics are covered in management trainings on MyFrankCrum (My Resources, Webinars-Training). See Top 10 Manager Mistakes and more webinars for your management team.
6. Documentation
Document examples of poor performance or conduct issues with written counseling or warnings. Also document examples of good performance or exemplary conduct to be used later in formal performance evaluations, or promotion decisions. Documenting activities in real time is the best practice.
Your FrankAdvice HR Consultant is available to help you with any of these activities. Reach out to your HR Consultant directly. Your HR Consultant, and other contacts, are noted on MyFrankCrum.
