In an ideal world, we’d never have to worry about firefighting people issues within our businesses. We’d have perfectly crafted policies, highly skilled line managers, and an engaged workforce with individuals who are passionate about helping our operations to reach their full potential.
The reality is things don’t always quite work out this way. Nearly every business owner has experienced complex HR issues during their career, and most would agree that they can sometimes come out of nowhere. If you find yourself with a complex and confusing people issue that you have to deal with, then you need to be focused on finding the solution.
Here are some steps you can take to successfully manage HR issues that you find yourself faced with.
Understand your legal obligations
Employment legislation exists for a reason. It’s there to protect workers and ensure that standards are upheld. It can be confusing to navigate at times, but it’s important to recognise that ultimately, it can help you. If you’re handling an HR problem and you’re not sure what to do, the first thing that you should consider is your legal responsibilities.
Suppose, for example, that your staff come to you and tell you that they feel that they need a pay rise. As long as you’re paying your workers the minimum wage, you aren’t obliged to reconsider your benefits package. Though obviously, this doesn’t mean that you should just brush the comments under the table. Exemplary employers move past compliance, and consider the bigger picture and the future of their business. This is vital if you want to retain your talent and are serious about nurturing your workforce.
HR expertise
Sometimes, knowing the law isn’t enough. If you’re dealing with a particularly sensitive or complex issue, you might need additional support. It’s vital that HR concerns are dealt with in a timely manner, and that you get it right first time, so working with an experienced professional could give you that extra peace of mind that you really need.
HR consultants deal with people issues every single day, so we have the knowledge and expertise to cut straight to the heart of a situation, and then deliver the very best solution for your workforce.
Assess and learn from HR issues
Once you’ve handled your HR issue, and you’ve come out the other side breathing a sigh of relief. You’re probably eager to carry on with business as usual, but now’s actually a great time to take a step back and assess your current position and opportunities.
What lessons have you learned? How can you prevent the same thing from happening again? In many cases, if you’ve decided to work with an HR consultant, then you’ll be left with a detailed action plan, which will be an invaluable HR resource. You should never forget that ultimately, it comes down to you. Are you serious about nurturing your staff in the best way possible?
Being a good leader isn’t necessarily about avoiding people problems altogether. Issues are sometimes inevitable, and come hand in hand with running a business. What really matters is your ability to handle the situation in a way which best serves your workforce and your organisation.
How will you manage things differently in the future? If you would like advice on any HR issues you are dealing with then contact us today.