As we wrap up 2016, it’s time to start thinking about our human resources projects for 2017.
But first, let’s reflect on this year…
2016 gave us new ways to express our feelings on Facebook, a Cubs World Series win, a very polarizing presidential election, and another Kardashian baby. (Just to name a few.)
2016 took away Prince, Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), Harambe, Gene Wilder, and the hope that Taylor Swift might settle down with Calvin Harris.
Ok, back to the HR Topic at hand.
One of our goals in 2017 – as well as any year – is to help businesses improve their HR function. So today we’d like to make our first move towards that goal by providing you with a few ideas for effective Human Resources projects to undertake in 2017.
We know it may not technically be the New Year just yet, but this is prime planning time! So let’s get to it before the Times Square Ball drops!
Top 5 Human Resources Projects for 2017
1. Conduct an HR Operational Review
When is the last time you truly evaluated your human resources processes and procedures? Are you using up-to-date forms that comply with all of the new legislation? Are you unintentionally discriminating against a protected class? The list of questions goes on and on.
An HR Operational Review provides the answers. Having an objective third party examine your processes helps you see what you are doing right, but more importantly, what you need to correct. (What could be a better way to start the new year?)
Conducting an HR Operational Review is beneficial so you can discover where your company is at risk & how to fix it before it is too late. Remember: All it takes to get into a labor dispute is one mad, irrational former employee. It’s best to be prepared.
To get a quick overview and find out if your business could be at risk, take our free, online HR operational review here.
2. Complete a Compensation Review
When is the last time you really thought about the compensation philosophy in your organization? (May be recently due to the FLSA Overtime Rules that almost went into effect. Read about that here.
A properly administered compensation strategy can reduce payroll costs and dramatically increase the productivity of a workplace, enhance the company culture, and overall increase the company’s bottom line.
So, in 2017, we encourage you to consider if your current compensation structure caters to the performance you expect. For instance, would it make more sense for your organization to lower base wages and increase performance incentives? Would paying above industry standards help attract high talent?
Another important point to consider is if your compensation strategy is consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Have you correctly identified the exemption status of your employees? Are your managers educated as to what they can and can’t do when it comes to allowing time off, etc?
3. Revamp your Recruiting Process
If you’re frustrated with the quality of candidates you’re attracting, the time it’s taking to hire high caliber candidates and/or the cost associated with recruiting and retaining employees, you should consider revamping your recruiting process.
Don’t worry – Integrity HR can help. Our professional recruiting services can be tailored to fit your needs.
When you outsource your recruitment process to Integrity HR, you will see a significant return on investment.
Integrity HR’s team of certified consultants will customize your recruiting policies and procedures for your organization that will save you time and money, and comply with federal and state legal guidelines.
Other key areas of improvement include:
- Better and more cost-effective processes
- Reductions in time to hire
- A wider and more engaged network of potential candidates
- Enhanced employer brand and corporate reputation
- More responsive workforce planning
- Closer alignment of talent strategy with business strategy
Learn more about our professional recruiting services here.
4. Consider Coaching and Training For Employees
Quality people are a vital piece of the success puzzle in today’s complex organizations. Quality employee training and coaching programs are a must to create a high performance organization.
We know that the opportunity for your leaders and potential leaders to reflect on how they lead and where they want to go is a significant part of their development process.
That’s where our coaching team comes in.
External coaches can provide unbiased, professional guidance in helping your leaders – and, consequently, your organization – reach their goals.
At Integrity HR, we’ll help your leaders identify the current state of development and get them to the desired state of achievement.
In addition to one-on-one coaching, you may want to consider training programs for all employees. They say it takes an average of 11 times of repeating information for someone to remember it. You may think you’ve gone over sexual harassment prevention enough. But have you covered it 11 times this year? (That would be lot!)
Here are some employee training programs you should consider for 2017:
- Sexual Harassment Prevention
- Performance Appraisal Process
- Management and Leadership Training
- Respectful Workplace Training
- Managing Change
- Interviewing Skills For Hiring Managers
- Compliance Training For Supervisors
- Communication Effectiveness
5. Step Up Your Team Building Initiatives
Let’s face it – employees work really hard, and that can make them susceptible to burnout. If employees get burned out, productivity and employee morale suffer. So how can you help?
By remembering that work shouldn’t be all work and no play. After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy — We’re not saying your employees will get all The Shining crazy on you. But we are saying it’s important to keep your employees engaged and sane by incorporating some play into their work schedule every now and then.
So, for 2017, plan some team-building and fun activities. Consider having quarterly sessions that allow your employees to take a break and blow off some steam. It could be something as simple as a potluck lunch or something more organized like a departmental weekend retreat. The point is, adding a little bit of levity in the workplace is a great morale booster. And investing in employee morale is a win-win for everyone.
There you have it: The Top 5 Human Resources Projects for 2017.
Wait – can we add one more? Sign up for our newsletter list to be the first to receive our 2017 Seminar & Webinar Calendar. We’ll be hosting many seminars and webinars in 2017 that will be approved for HRCI and SHRM continuing education credit. Sign up to receive an email alert here.
We hope you had your pen & planner out! We are HR professionals, but we’re not biased: tackling these HR projects really can significantly enhance your business.
How do we know? Because we complete these projects all the time for other companies and they see results.
We want you to see results this year, too. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need help with any of these projects.
Here’s to your success in 2017!
