Top Ten Tips for… Mastering the Art of HR

Human resources teams have a more challenging job now than ever. With the rise of remote and flexible working arrangements, we need to find more creative ways of reaching staff and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Competition for talent is growing and effective recruitment, retention and upskilling is a must, as well as prioritising inclusivity and a supportive attitude towards staff wellbeing.

To master HR is to shape a workforce that is optimistic, driven and adaptable. Here are 10 ways you can achieve that in your organisation.

Stay up to date with employment law

A good knowledge of UK employment law is fundamental for HR professionals. This helps ensure your practices are compliant and prevents legal issues, manages risk and protects the rights of your employees.

Look out for our employment law updates to keep abreast of changes and developments.

Champion equality, diversity and inclusion

Many organisations say they are committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), but putting this into practice takes time and dedication.

A visible commitment to EDI makes you more attractive both to potential candidates and potential customers or clients. People are more likely to align themselves with organisations where they feel seen and represented.

A diverse workforce encompassing a range of backgrounds and perspectives is also more innovative and creative.

Prioritise staff wellbeing

Reducing stress and preventing burnout should be a top priority. As well as being in your employees’ best interests, it helps boost morale and productivity and reduces absenteeism and staff turnover.

Put measures in place to support the wellbeing of your staff – for example, an employee assistance programme (EAP), wellbeing resources on the staff intranet, or a team of mental health first aiders – and ensure you communicate them widely and regularly.

Invest in continuous learning:

Upskilling your staff is a win-win. You can reap the benefits of a more skilled workforce, and they can enhance their career prospects, making them less likely to leave to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Provide access to training and development opportunities and encourage staff to take advantage of them. By doing this, you can also future-proof your organisation by growing leaders internally.

Master employee engagement

Engaged employees perform better and feel more connected to the organisations they work for. Use surveys or regular check-ins to understand what motivates your staff and tailor your internal communications accordingly. You may be surprised at what you discover.

Make sure you monitor engagement to give you a clear picture of areas for development, for example open and click through rates for digital communication, and attendance at company-wide meetings.

Promote transparent communication

When thinking about your communications, remember that openness builds trust. People like to feel informed about and included in the way the organisation they work for is shaped and run.

Schedule regular communications to update staff on what’s going on within the organisation. Be honest and transparent.

Use data for decision-making

Data helps us make informed decisions. Tracking staff turnover, performance metrics and satisfaction scores can help identify areas for improvement.

Be agile in crisis management

In HR, the ability to act quickly in a crisis is essential. Being responsive and ready for any eventuality can help minimise any negative impact.

Create contingency plans and train staff for dealing with worst-case scenarios.

Focus on conflict resolution

Unresolved disputes damage morale and can cause long-term resentment, which eats away at working relationships. Train staff in mediation techniques and create clear policies for addressing conflicts.

Encourage feedback culture

Constructive feedback helps us feel seen and valued, as well as helping us improve. You can create a culture of giving regular feedback by encouraging staff to congratulate each other on the successful completion of projects, and to invite feedback from others.

Use tools like 360-degree reviews and one-to-one meetings to facilitate open communication. Train your staff in how to give, and receive, constructive feedback. The benefits speak for themselves.

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cHRysos HR Solutions are a UK wide HR training and consultancy company offering CIPD accredited qualifications, Apprenticeships, Training and HR Services to SMEs. For more information about how cHRysos HR can help you or your teams successfully achieve further qualifications, contact us on info@chrysos.org.uk or call 03300 562443.