Looking at Your Human Resources Department  -
10 tips for making the most of your human resource function

By Eileen M. Levitt, SPHR

Eileen Levitt, SPHR, is President of The HR Team, a human resources consulting and outsourcing company based in Columbia, Maryland. She offers these top 10 tips that all businesses should consider when reviewing their corporate structure.

Review your workplace safety

• Are you in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?  Are you aware of OSHA regulations that will impact your company?
• Is your worker compensation program in line with state and federal regulations?

Review your employment records

• Have you recently conducted a random sample of employment files to ensure compliance?  Do you know how to maintain employment files to ensure compliance?
• Have you recently updated and refreshed employee job descriptions and reviewed job postings?
• Is your company current with required federal and state postings?

Review your diversity program

• Are you in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) regulations?
• Is your company required to have an affirmative action plan?  And if so, do you have one?
• Have you clearly defined your harassment (sexual and non-sexual) policies and practices?

Review your recruitment process

• Are you conducting background checks on all potential employees?
• Do you have a standard offer letter that is sent to all new employees that includes at –will language?
• Do you have an ongoing new employee orientation program?

Review employee compensation

• Have you recently reviewed your organization’s compensation practices for consistency and effectiveness?
• Are you in compliance with newly issued Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) classifications?
• Do you conduct a random sample of time records to ensure accuracy?

Review employee benefits

• Are you in compliance with the newly revised Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and HIPPAA regulations?
• If you have more than 50 employees, have you communicated your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy?
• In plans that require it, do you complete the required IRS testing on a regular basis?  Do you know which plans require testing?

Review your compliance with federal and state regulations

• Do you file the EEOC and new hire reporting information on a timely basis?  Do you know where and when these filings are required?
• Do you have an updated employee handbook that outlines your compliance with local, state and federal regulations?

Review your employee relations and counseling program

• Is there an established chain of command for employee concerns or complaints?
• Do you regularly measure performance for both employees and management?
• Have you implemented an employee morale program?
• Do you conduct exit interviews with departing employees?

Review of HR information management

• Do you stay apprised of human resource issues?
• Does your company do statistical tracking and best practices evaluations?

Review of strategic HR management

• Does your company understand the role of HR professionals in your organization?
• Do you have methods to measure your HR programs and track their success?
• Do you regularly participate in continuing education programs?

The HR Team develops customizes human resources programs that fit each company’s corporate cultures.  For additional information on The HR Team, please call 410-381-9700.