In this era of major workplace transformations, HR teams have the challenge to adapt and keep up with new and evolving dynamics. As we transition into a new year, it’s important to revise HR best practices and define the best approach to attract, manage, and retain your hourly workforce.
Hybrid work models, new compliance requirements, and an increased focus on mental health and well-being are re-shaping the way we work. How can you ensure that your HR processes are up-to-speed with these dynamic changes?
We’ve got your back! Here’s a roundup of the 9 HR best practices to help you tackle the challenges this upcoming year:
What Are HR Best Practices?
HR best practices are a set of procedures that sum up your overarching approach towards HR operations.
Think of them as a GPS that guides your HR team’s decisions, initiatives, and strategies.
Defining HR best practices provides a clear course of action to pursue HR goals like improving employee engagement and satisfaction, ensuring compliance and managing risk, and building a skilled, productive workforce.
9 HR Best Practices for Companies with Hourly Workers
1- Attract Top-Tier Hourly Talent Through Diverse Channels
In a rapidly evolving hiring landscape, reaching and securing the best hourly talent requires a diversified recruitment approach.
Embrace a mix of platforms, from industry-specific job boards to social media, community events, and employee referral programs. Casting a wider net ensures your organization taps into a diverse pool of qualified candidates, setting the stage for a robust and dynamic hourly workforce.
Here are a few ideas to improve your recruiting process:
- Enhance your referral program with attractive benefits. Offer incentives that motivate workers, such as monetary rewards, extra vacation days, gift cards, or other forms of recognition. Let employees feel valued for contributing to the growth of your organization.
- Make the application process fast and seamless. According to SHRM, 92% of people never finish online job applications. Minimize unnecessary steps that may be causing your applicants to drop out. Removing barriers to entry increases your chances of securing the best-fit candidates.
2- Optimize Onboarding Processes for Efficiency
A well-structured onboarding process helps new hires adjust more quickly to their role and sets the tone for a positive employer-employee relationship from day one.
Going beyond first-day orientation and crafting a strong onboarding experience increases engagement at work and reduces turnover rate.
What can you do to streamline onboarding?
- Automate paperwork. Paper-based processes are cumbersome and prone to error. Allow employees to upload their documentation and implement e-signature to save time and make the process smoother.
- Provide clear job expectations. Be transparent about the responsibilities, goals, and performance expectations for your hourly employees.
3- Prioritize Employee Training and Development
Invest in ongoing training and development programs to enhance the skills of your hourly workforce. By offering opportunities for growth, you not only empower your employees but also create a more skilled and adaptable workforce, better equipped to meet the evolving demands of the job.
Here are two areas of focus for your training programs:
- Diversity and inclusion training. Improve collaboration and allow employees to challenge their unconscious biases when working with others.
- Leadership training. Encourage team members to work on their leadership abilities, including problem-solving, communications skills and strategic thinking.
4- Flexible Work Arrangements for Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance has become a top priority for both employees and job seekers. But are companies really providing flexible work arrangements for hourly workers?
Supporting the well-being of your hourly employees and allowing them to have greater control over their schedules, leads to increased satisfaction and retention. A recent study shows that 82% of hourly workers consider the ability to make decisions about their work schedule extremely important.
So, what can you do about this?
- Provide workers with mobile access to their upcoming work schedule so they can make changes and communicate them properly.
- Be transparent about scheduling decisions and plan accordingly to avoid last minute changes.
5- Simplify Payroll and Empower Hourly Workers with On-Demand Pay Programs
Using an online payroll solution helps HR teams automate calculations, tax deductions, and compliance, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring accuracy.
Additionally, these systems offer self-service options, allowing hourly employees to access their payroll information easily.
As you explore a new payroll solution, you should also evaluate implementing on-demand pay programs, which allow hourly workers to request payment at the end of the day, instead of waiting weeks for their paycheck. This can do a lot to reduce financial stress and make employees feel supported.
6- Expand Mental Health Benefits
The pandemic highlighted the importance of mental health in the workplace. As a result, companies are taking note and investing more resources into ensuring employees’ well-being.
If you are considering adding mental health benefits for your hourly workforce, here are a few suggestions:
- Implement Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Look for a provider that grants employees access to a fixed number of therapy sessions or counseling.
- Mental health training. Provide education on mental health topics to help employees spot warning signs and learn strategies to cope with anxiety or stress.
7- Regularly Review and Update HR Policies
Given the dynamic nature of the workplace, it’s crucial to regularly review and update HR policies. This means staying on top of any changes in labor laws, compliance requirements, and industry standards.
Staying compliant is one of the most sensitive and challenging tasks for an HR team. And it’s easy to understand why: the risks of non-compliance are high, ranging from fines and penalties to the loss of brand reputation.
Here’s what to watch out for this year:
- Payroll compliance. Ensure each of your employees is paid correctly, in alignment with federal, state, and local regulations. Also, payroll compliance involves classifying hourly employees properly, and compensating for overtime correctly.
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance. Employers are responsible for providing health insurance to hourly employees under certain circumstances. This involves generating specific forms, sending them to your employees, and making sure you don’t miss any deadlines. If you have doubts about this, you can check our compliance services.
8- Implement Regular and Constructive Performance Feedback
Performance reviews for hourly workers tend to be overlooked. However, they can have a very positive impact on employee engagement and job satisfaction.
Schedule regular check-ins, conduct performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback that highlights achievements and identifies areas for growth.
A few performance management best practices to keep in mind:
- 360-degree feedback surveys. Collect input from different perspectives, including peers, supervisors, and customers. That way, you can have a holistic approach to your worker’s performance and uncover relevant interpersonal skills.
- Recognize great performance. Contemplate incentives to reward employees for their hard work. A bonus, an extra day off, or even a gift card can make employees feel valued and motivated.
9- Enhance Communication Channels
Setting clear and open lines of communication fosters a sense of transparency and belonging among hourly workers. On the contrary, poor communication can lead to unmet expectations, disagreements, and unmotivated employees.
So, whether it’s through digital platforms, team meetings, or regular check-ins, make sure to keep employees informed about company updates, policies, and expectations. Be transparent about decisions that may affect them and always encourage feedback.
HR Best Practices Final Conclusion
HR best practices are constantly evolving. That’s why it’s crucial to take time to review them and ensure they are aligned with employees’ expectations and new workplace dynamics.
EPAY Systems is an HR platform for companies managing an hourly workforce. Contact us to learn how we can help you navigate your hiring, payroll, and compliance challenges following HR best practices.
