5 Common HR Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them
July 27th, 2010Human resources can seem like a mine field to those with little experience in it. One wrong move, and BOOM – disaster strikes. As a Snohomish County staffing and HR firm, we’ve seen it happen again and again. Not only can these HR issues be costly, they could even lead to a lawsuit.
So what are some of the most common HR mistakes – and how can you avoid them? Here are five:
Mistake #1: Failing to keep your workers union free.
Unhappy employees may look outside the company for proper representation if they think you don’t care about issues that impact them. So let your employees know that your door is always open, treat them with respect and fairness, and handle any grievances they may have as quickly as possible.
Mistake #2: Making a candidate take a medical exam before a job offer.
Due to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are not allowed to ask candidates about disabilities before a job offer has been made. However, once you’ve offered a position to a candidate then you are allowed to require the person to take a job-related medical exam.
Mistake #3: Not enforcing a sexual harassment policy.
Did you know that if one of your managers is harassing an employee, then you’re liable as well? It’s therefore critical that you not only establish, but also enforce, a sexual harassment policy at your company. Make sure all managers and employees are aware of the policy and if you do hear about any instances of harassment, deal with them swiftly.
Mistake #4: Not completing I-9 forms for employees.
If you’re audited by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and you don’t have I-9 forms completed, you could be in serious trouble with Uncle Sam. So make it a habit to complete these forms as soon as you hire a new employee.
Mistake #5: Not documenting any disciplinary action you took against an employee.
If you didn’t document it, it didn’t happen. That’s the reality of the situation when it comes to disciplinary action. If you ever have to fire an employee who was regularly disciplined, and they file a lawsuit for unlawful termination, you will need documents to back up your claim in court.
If you have further questions about employment law and HR policies, please contact Northwest Staffing. As a Snohomish County staffing and HR firm, we have the knowledge and experience to help ensure your company is in compliance with state and federal employment laws.
