Can you feel it? Spring is just around the corner. On Saturday I grabbed the opportunity as many Capetonians did, to get down to the beach to lap up some Winter, nearly Spring Sun, and dived into my book (I just can’t seem to finish) baking those extra winter calories… hoping they might magically melt away somehow…ha, ha, wishful thinking I know, but hey, how boring would life be without a smidgen of hope….right? Now that the season of new beginnings and fresh starts is on its way, why not schedule some time with your “Think Tank Team” to prioritize the HR functions you are not getting to because you are simply too consumed with the day-to-day HR and payroll challenges, monthly reporting, and running from meeting to meeting.
10 items to put on your HR Spring cleaning to-do list:
- Review Policies and Procedures
Are the company policies in your employee handbook up-to-date and compliant with the labour law amendments? Review your standard operating procedures to ensure they are up to date with HOW you are actually doing things.
- Job Descriptions and Specifications
Interview employees to determine if their Job Descriptions require updating and re-write them if needed. The same goes for your Job Specs, making your life so much easier when the recruitment requisition arrives in your inbox and you need to advertise ASAP.
- Rewards and Recognition
Plan your “Coffee with the CEO” program, schedule “Star employee” awards, incentive scheme reviews, and any other initiatives to celebrate your wins.
- Review your employment contract types
Are your contracts in line with the latest labour law updates? Do the various types of employment contract templates include accurate terms and conditions, preventing any future potential liabilities?
- Workforce Planning
NOW is a good time to forecast future talent requirements and create talent action plans.
- Benefit Audit
Assess your benefits offered, January will be here before you know it and Medical Aids will need your plan selections. If you haven’t done so already, the new amendment to the Pension Funds Act was put in force earlier this year. Are there specific benefits you could consider offering your employees to improve engagement and retention?
- Employee file audit
Usually, once your new starter has signed on, documents are completed, captured on your HRIS, and filed, never to be looked at again. You may still be waiting on documentation, check, and follow-ups. You don’t want findings from your auditors or inspectors for non-compliance or be faced with benefit claims which are held back due to missing signatures on beneficiary forms in the event of an employee’s death.
- HR Audit
You may be unsure of your HR obligations, we provide HR auditing services and can put you on the right track to ensure you have checked all HR boxes.
- Give your employees a voice
Employee surveys are so under-utilized, they are a great tool to identify what you are doing WELL and which areas require improvement. Surveys are an excellent first step to changing the culture in an organization.
- File and Purge
It’s time to file those forms on the “filing” pile. Purge those zillions of marketing pamphlets, the poor trees…! Get organized with your labelling of files, and make sure that your filing is in order so that anyone can find a document should you be away for any reason
What is on your HR Spring cleaning list?