Operating a business is a huge responsibility because you are not only responsible for dealing with clients and financial matters but there is personnel to contend with as well. Sometimes personnel changes in the workplace will affect the entire business while other times there is only a slight ‘bump’ as new employees are added or old ones leave. If you are looking for effective ways to manage these changes, here is some valuable advice that can make your job a whole lot easier.
How to Handle Changes in Management
When there is a change in management, whether upper level or departmental, this affects every single employee from the top on down. However, with a few simple steps you can ensure your staff that the business will continue as usual and that the only thing they can expect is growth. You never want to speak ill of management, even if they were horrible in their position, because this is both unprofessional and demoralising.
Rather, focus on new growth potential within the company, or within the department in question, and invite anyone involved to a dialogue if they have any concerns. Whether you provide for a one-on-one with HR or simply ask they email HR any questions they may have, it is vital to talk to anyone who wishes to voice concern. Their productivity could depend on it.
The Importance of Training When Adding or Losing Key Employees
There may be bumps in the road when adding or losing key employees which means that management may need to focus heavily on the area of the business. It is always of crucial importance to schedule tasks around these changes to make sure that business continues in the status quo. You may need to offer some overtime to experienced personnel to fill the void during those changes. It cannot be stressed enough that you need to allow ample time for new employees to be fully trained before throwing them on the floor. Whether you have lost a key employee and need to fill that void or are creating a new position, training is critical to your ongoing success.
Simplifying Recordkeeping Tasks
Many companies experiencing a boom in growth are often overwhelmed by the recordkeeping tasks involved. As new personnel is added to the company roster, making the life of an HR professional much more complicated. There really is no reason to stress because there are solutions available to almost automate some of those tasks. Take for example online HR software by XCDHR. As data is entered on one screen, pertinent information is automatically imported to other functions.
Some of the chief recordkeeping tasks that this type of software handles include:
· Detailed employee records – Information is carried throughout and will carry over when changes are made.
· Job titles and salary info – Initial and updating throughout as changes are made.
· Vacation and Leave Management – This information ‘may’ be made visible to employees if needed.
· HR Case Records and Management – This would be where documentation of employee performance is kept and where HR would go for employee history if asked for a reference.
And, those are just some of the tasks which can be handled by HR software to track and manage changes within the workplace.
One final note on handling changes within the workplace is that it is always advisable to be transparent. If there are changes coming up that you know about prior to the institution of those changes, it is in your best interest to notify employees of the upcoming changes. Recordkeeping tasks are important but never forget the human element. All changes must be approached from a human perspective and you will be amazed at how smooth the transition will be.