Tag: onboarding

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Proactive HR: Part Two

HR: employee training and company handbook

Welcome back to part two of our three part series, Proactive HR, where we walk through six common human resource mistakes and how to avoid them. Read on for more information on employee training and the company handbook.

Employee Training

Fact: 40 percent of new employees leave a job within a year if they’ve received poor training. You may think you don’t have time to train new employees, but to stay ahead of the curve in a competitive marketplace, you’ll need all employees performing at their peak.

The training process should consist of two parts: in-depth onboarding and ongoing development. Onboarding should cover processes and expectations. Consider assigning a “mentor” during this process as well. For ongoing development, keep a consistent training program that ensures your staff are learning new skills on an ongoing basis.

Company Handbook

Not having company policies in writing is asking for trouble. You can face a gamut of problems including legal repercussions if an employee claims they weren’t made aware of company policies, or constant questions from a confused employee. Thankfully, we have an employe handbook template to use as guidance.

In summary, the employee handbook is your business’s guide to policies, procedures, and legal obligations. It should be a general and fluid document revised every two years. Employees should be notified of any updates. It’s also a good idea to have employees sign an acknowledgement they will abide by company policies.

Inspiration for this post comes from “HR Keys to Business Success” by Melisa Morrison published in the December 2022 issue of Creative Retailer. Morrison has over 30 years of experience in Human Resources and is a former quilt shop owner. Stay tuned next week for the final part of the series.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

If you still can’t get enough, register for the Creative Retailer LIVE Spring 2023 event May 2-4 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma for opportunities to learn from peers as well as network with industry professionals.

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Onboarding New Hires

New hires

Congratulations, you have a new employee! Now it’s time to onboard them so they feel a part of the team. Read on for the four things to keep in mind to ensure you both are on a path to succeed.

Responsibilities

Employees should know the duties that fit their job description. Set clear expectations and help new hires understand what those expectations look like. This can be completing a piece of a project, meeting sales quotas, and more.

Every time you have a discussion about employee expectations, be sure to follow up with an email. It’s okay to check with your employee to gauge their understanding of the expectations you’ve outlined.

Acceptance

There’s nothing worse than being new to a team and having to introduce yourself. To make your new hire feel accepted, introduce them early on their first day during a team round up.

Another great method is to pair the new hire with a mentor. The mentor shouldn’t be someone in a management position, but rather a peer. This will go a long way in saving you time answering questions about the day-to-day.

Training New Hires

Thorough training sets your employees up to succeed. Invest the time required to ensure the new hire is an expert in their position. Slow down or speed up as needed, but be sure to provide feedback as early as possible. Let your new hire know if they’re exceeding expectations and encourage them to provide feedback also.

Career

You have a vision of the company, and your new hire has a vision of their career. Set up your new hire on a path to succeed and not only will they buy into your vision but they’ll fit into the company’s culture in no time.

Inspiration for this post came from “Create a Winning Team” by Melisa Morrison published in the August 2022 issue of American Quilt Retailer. Morrison is the Director for Human Resources at the Latex Construction Company and is a former quilt shop owner.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.