If you are the owner of a small business or the administrator of a small dental practice, you wear many hats. One of the most important hats is the one you wear when handling employees. You are your HR department, which includes recruiting, hiring, retention, engagement, legal compliance, relationship management and leadership. These responsibilities rest on YOU.
How are you doing? How are your coaching skills, therapy skills, and knowledge of the rules and regulations in the human resource world? If you don’t have a policy and procedure manual written specifically for your office that reflects your culture and employees while providing the tools to manage them, you’re treading on a fine line. Walking the tightrope daily with your head in the clouds and no safety net makes for one stressful day–every day. One slip, and you could be fined.
Did you know the fines for failing to comply with I-9 requirements could result in fines of $110 to $1,100? Every year, companies are forced to pay billions of dollars in fines related to common HR compliance rules set forth by the government.
Here are some thoughts to ponder as you begin to create a safety net:
- Do you have a plan and the tools to help job seekers familiarize themselves with you company?How are you actively working towards creating an inviting office culture?
- How are you actively working towards creating an inviting office culture?Do you offer workplace flexibility?
- Do you offer workplace flexibility?Do you offer learning opportunities for growth?
- Do you offer learning opportunities for growth?Do you communicate with employees early and often about rules and regulations while updating your employee handbook?
- Do you communicate with employees early and often about rules and regulations while updating your employee handbook?
- Employees want to be heard. Are you a good listener? Do you know all the tasks each employee performs day in and day out? Take the time to walk in their shoes; you’ll be surprised what you learn. Your employees will feel valued, and
- Do you know all the tasks each employee performs day in and day out? Take the time to walk in their shoes; you’ll be surprised what you learn. Your employees will feel valued, and in turn, you will gain their respect and trust.
At the end of the day, the easiest way to avoid compliance fines is to work with an HR expert. They will take some of the load off of you by working behind the scenes with your personal policy and procedures manual, facilitating a staff meeting for implementation, bringing everyone on the same page, answering your employee questions and keeping them informed. Bottom line, you have to create the plan and follow it. It might be a little daunting at first, but your employees–and your business’s bank account– will thank you for it.
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