The human resources department is one of the most important aspects of any organization. The department typically handles recruiting, training, employee management, and disputes or disciplinary issues. However, in the last few years, these departments have also dealt with the evolution of the remote workforce, mental well-being of employees, the great resignation, and challenges surrounding COVID-19. 

If improving your HR department or team is a priority for your organization this year, here are some great places to start. 

Invest In Employee Training

One of the best ways to improve your human resources department is to invest in employee training. This investment ensures your employees are up-to-date on the latest HR policies and procedures and is likely to reduce turnover rates and improve employee morale.

Investing in employee training looks different depending on the size of your organization and your budget constraints. You can send your employees to seminars, workshops, or opt for more budget-friendly online courses. You can also create an internal training program within your company, bringing in experts and industry leaders you respect. 

Prioritize Employee Appreciation

Employee appreciation programs show your employees that you value their hard work and dedication, and incorporating custom-made awards into these programs can truly amplify this recognition. These programs will also help boost morale and create a more welcoming and inclusive workplace culture. 

There are several different ways to recognize your employees, again depending on your staff size and budget. Awards, monetary bonuses, or providing additional vacation days are all options that make employees feel valued. However, a note of encouragement or taking the time to listen to employee feedback are also ways to show your appreciation. The best workplaces incorporate employee suggestions into their appreciation programs and try to show gratitude for how each employee receives it best. 

Improve Communication Within The Department

One of the biggest challenges that human resources departments face is communication. With ever-changing policies, rapidly changing workforces, and external circumstances often unknown, communication is key - both internally in the department and externally with other departments. 

There are several different ways that you can improve communication within your department. For example, you can hold regular meetings, send out email updates, or create an internal chat system. Whatever method you choose, make sure that it is practical and easy to use.

Use Specific HR Technology

The right technology and digital tools can be a great asset to any human resources department. From automation software designed to help you let go of the time-consuming tasks to virtual meeting tools to bridge the gap between remote and on-site employees, organizations of all sizes can find the technology solutions that meet their individual needs. 

To enhance interdepartmental communications, software packages that address multiple organizational challenges are often best. (Try a NetSuite demo to see how different roles utilize the world's leading cloud-ERP system in your organization.)

Hire The Right People

When you think of human resources, you think of the individuals the department is hiring for the organization at large. However, starting with the right team members inside the HR department is equally important. 

HR vacancies are notoriously tricky to fill but crucial to an organization's health. Therefore, using an outside agency to recruit for HR-level openings is often a wise investment for larger and more complex companies. This doesn’t tackle turnover since there are all kinds of valid reasons for employees to leave a job but hiring the right team in the first place is a great place to start.

Performing research helps evaluate what applicants expect to make, and this knowledge can help you attract more talented candidates. For example, since the average salary of an HR Generalist is $57,000 a year, it would be wise to make the position worth $60,000 or more.

Create An Inclusive and Diverse Workplace Culture

Another critical aspect of any human resources department is the work environment or office culture. Practically speaking, offering flexible working hours, providing employees with professional development opportunities, and respecting all the cultures represented within the company are all tangible ways of creating an inclusive environment. 

Evaluate The Department Regularly

As the HR department often drives employee reviews and policy reviews for all departments, the department itself needs to have regular reviews and measures to monitor performance and improvement plans. 

There are several ways you can evaluate the performance of your department. For example, you can conduct employee surveys, review performance reports, or hold regular focus groups to gauge employee input. 

Final Thoughts

As the workforce landscape changes due to external challenges like the pandemic and evolves as new generations enter and exit the workforce, HR departments will be challenged to stay one step ahead. 

Investing in your HR team now means your company will be more prepared when new obstacles arise and better suited to perform well under difficult circumstances.

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