What HR Issues Need Attention As the New Year Approaches?

David Lewis, president and CEO of OperationsInc, suggests taking three important steps.

Aside from the resolutions, the champagne, and the celebration, with the new year comes the need for addressing several key HR issues. Here is a short list of the most important steps to take before the ball drops.

1. Reset your holiday schedule. While most businesses offer the same six to 10 days off, where they fall on the calendar will impact what days you choose to close, perhaps even deleting a day here or there, or adding one or two for example, when the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. So every business should look at the upcoming calendar and reissue the holiday schedule so the days-off list is clear.
2. Pay deductions often change on Jan. 1 for all or most employees. The key culprits include the reintroduction of some social security deductions, 401k allocations, and updated rates for benefit-related payments. It is therefore helpful to alert all employees to these possible changes well in advance to avoid having a line form at your door on the first payday of the year.
3. Time-off resets for many companies, including the replenishment of sick time and vacation time. A reminder to employees about their new balances helps them know where they stand. Also remind any employees who were given the ability to carry over time that they have a limited window to use it, as most company policies dictate.

HR operates best when the communication is proactive. The steps outlined above will help start things off positively for your firm’s HR practices.

The Question of the Month is sponsored by Norwalk HR outsourcing and consulting firm OperationsInc.