Important Human Resource Needs for Small Businesses

The Coronavirus has captivated the world, and every business will be influenced by the decisions we continue to make.  Many companies will not survive and there will be some that develop because to the pandemic that has gripped our country.  No matter what, when people come to work for you, it’s your responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace, to comply with relevant employment laws in your country, to keep good records, and to pay salaries and benefits promptly and effectively.  There are some basic requirements you have to fulfill as a small business owner or HR officer. When people come to work for you.

1.       Keep People Safe.  Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) provided by companies like Apache Commodities will be vital to operating and maintaining your business.  However, over 5,000 employees die a year from injuries sustained in the workplace.  Almost 2.9 million are injured.  Therefore occupational safety or “health & safety” is not just about annoying government red tape.  Demonstrating your commitment to employee workplace safety will encourage your staff to take the subject seriously too, and it may help avoid accidents. On top of that, it shows that you value them and their physical well-being, so it sends a powerful message that may improve their general happiness and job satisfaction.

2.       Know the Law.  Employment laws are a key part of small business human resource requirements and they can be very complex. These laws govern small businesses too, so you need to be up to speed and make sure you're complying with all the regulations.  One of the most common forms of employment law deals with the issue of equal opportunity. Essentially, you should not discriminate in your hiring practices based on gender, race, religion, national origin, age, disability, etc. And you should have clear policies in place to guard against discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

3.       Keep Good Records.  Filing is not the most exciting task you’ll ever do, but it’s important. The good news is that the requirements are quite simple—you just need to keep a file or each employee, containing important information about their employment. And, most importantly, you’ll need to keep these files very secure, because they contain sensitive information.

4.       Provide Pay & Benefits.  Another basic HR requirement for every small business is to pay people on time and provide any relevant benefits. We already looked at how to set pay rates and benefits earlier in this series, but once you’ve done that, you need to make sure you do the mechanics of it properly.  That means paying people on time no matter what and assuring that you calculate the right amount. 

Questco is there to help you rebuild your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.