88 Shares

5 Things The HR Department Can Do For Their Employees

Any organization’s performance depends heavily on the Human Resources (HR) department, which acts as a bridge between management and employees. Ensuring employees feel appreciated and supported at work is one of HR’s main duties because doing so significantly improves employee productivity, engagement, and satisfaction.

According to a survey, satisfied workers who give a higher rating to their companies are less likely to apply for work elsewhere. In contrast, those who rate their employer 2 out of 5 are more likely to apply for other jobs. Retaining existing employees has been exceedingly challenging for HR amid the Great Resignation that followed post-pandemic. However, keeping workers happy is one way to retain top talent.

Moreover, the trend of workplace inclusion and diversity picked up pace since 2020, as per reports from Glassdoor for Employers. Companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook published the demographic data of their workplace to boost workplace diversity, which positively impacted employee satisfaction.

However, let us assess some effective strategies HR can follow for an optimal workforce.

1. Support Educational Goals

Acquiring a degree in business administration and management can help employees and HR professionals stay updated with the latest business trends, human resource practices, leadership strategies, and project management and help develop technical skills.

Moreover, you will be able to learn theoretical applications and qualify for higher degrees, such as a Master of Science in Organizational Management in Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. These advanced programs will enable people to grow in their roles and secure better jobs at higher levels with enhanced compensation, leading to job security and satisfaction.

Moreover, qualified and experienced staff members are more valuable to an organization since they can bring innovative ideas and implement critical procedures for a firm’s success and sustainability.

A qualified staff leads and manages organizations better than those who are unqualified. It is true for HR and the employees they manage. The better-qualified and well-equipped HR managers are, the better they will be at managing others. Therefore, supporting educational advancement is crucial to employee growth and learning, enabling enhanced performance and productivity.

2. Provide Training and Development

Programs for employee and organizational growth and achievement must include training and development. HR can enhance work performance and raise employee morale by giving employees the abilities and information they need to succeed.

Companies that invest at least $1,500 per employee per year on staff training and development produce a 24% larger profit margin than those that do not, finds a survey by the Association for Talent Development (ATD). It indicates that a company’s bottom line can benefit significantly from investing in staff development. Furthermore, increasing the per-employee investment annually on training and development by $680 results in a 6% higher shareholder value.

Training and development initiatives also boost employee satisfaction and retention in addition to financial gains. According to the same ATD survey, businesses with intensive and result-driven training programs earn 218% more per employee than those with less intensive ones. Additionally, workers who receive training are more likely to feel appreciated and involved in their company, boosting job satisfaction and lowering turnover rates.

Maintaining a low worker turnover is also important for a positive reputation of the company in the consumer and job market. Workers who stay at a company for the long-term gain positive CSR points.

3. Implement and Monitor Labor Laws

One of the HR department’s most important responsibilities is adherence to labor laws and regulations. HR must ensure that the company complies with all relevant rules and legislations since the legal and regulatory environment surrounding employment is always changing.

Non-compliance with labor regulations may lead businesses to large financial penalties and reputational harm, according to the US Department of Labor, which enforces and regulates labor laws in the US. Companies that break wage and hour rules, for instance, may have to pay back wages, interest, and civil penalties, which might result in fines of millions of dollars. It can also make the firm vulnerable to lawsuits and financial claims, resulting in huge losses.

HR departments must stay updated with and monitor federal, state, and local labor laws. It covers harassment laws, overtime, workplace discrimination, worker safety protocols, etc. More importantly, HR personnel are responsible for ensuring that all corporate policies align with labor laws.

4. Conflict Resolution

Any workplace will inevitably have conflict, and HR departments are essential in managing and resolving employee disputes. Effective dispute resolution boosts productivity, lowers attrition rates, and enhances workplace relationships.

In a study by CPP Global, a conflict management solutions provider, employees spend 2.8 hours per week on average trying to resolve conflicts at the expense of their hourly wages of $17.95. The same study also revealed the cost of conflict resolution among American firms of $359 billion annually. It translates into a loss of production of close to three weeks per year. The HR department can help workers spend less time and energy settling disagreements at work and use that time and energy on more productive tasks.

Conflict resolution strategies that HR can use include coaching, mediation, and team-building activities. HR can foster a more cooperative and supportive work environment by engaging with workers to identify the root causes of problems and provide solutions.

Effective dispute resolution also raises retention rates and staff morale. Over 65% of workers reported that their connections with their immediate supervisors are crucial to their job satisfaction, according to a report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

5. Establish a Productive Corporate Culture

Corporate culture refers to an organization’s internal shared values, attitudes, beliefs, and norms. HR departments play a crucial role in establishing productive corporate cultures, adhering to corporate policies, and inducing an inclusive and diverse working environment for all employees.

A distinct corporate culture, in the opinion of 94% of executives and 88% of employees, is crucial to a firm’s success, according to a Deloitte poll. Additionally, businesses with robust corporate cultures often witness better revenue growth rates and staff retention than those without.

Conclusion

The HR department is a vast field that covers many organizational aspects and plays a major role in the success of a company. It does this by engaging with and managing a company’s human resources.

To retain top talent, remain competitive, and boost organizational productivity, HR departments can support employees by encouraging and supporting their educational goals and providing training and development opportunities.

Additional Articles You May Be Interested In: