Hiring and firing is pretty straight forward, so why would small- to medium-sized businesses (SMB) involve a Human Resource professional to do something that they feel they can do fine on their own?
The #honesttruth is that hiring and firing is a very small part of the responsibilities of an HR professional. Without consulting a professional, business owners may be taking on risks they are not even aware of.
What risks are SMB owners taking when they engage in the do-it-yourself approach to HR?
The risks are endless. To answer the question above, SMB owners need to ask themselves the following: with the million and one thing’s on your to-do-list, are you up-to-date with the most recent laws, standards, and mandatory employee-related requirements to ensure that both your business and your staff are maintaining compliance?
HR professionals are responsible for so much more than talent acquisition. They help you manage your most valuable resource – your employees. This includes helping to keep your business and your staff in compliance with acts, laws, and legislation.
The top three areas HR professionals are responsible for are:
- Employee Relations – HR professionals help build stronger employer-employee relationships. They assist in resolving conflict in the workplace and work to engage employees. Unmanaged or unresolved conflict contributes to employee absenteeism that cost the Canadian economy an estimated $16.1 billion in 2012, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
- Compliance – Are you familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Employment Standards Act (ON), Human Rights Code (ON), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Personal Information Privacy and Electronic Documents Act, or Canadian Anti-Spam Law (CASL) to name a few? If not, and you’re a SMB owner you could find yourself in some hot water.
- Safety – Employers have an obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees this includes instruct, inform, and supervise workers, being familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to the workplace such as workplace harassment and violence. HR professionals support workplace safety training and maintain federally/provincially mandated requirements, and manage workers compensation issues.
HR extends beyond simply hiring and firing – it helps you protect your business from very expensive and drawn-out legal implications while attracting top talent and making your organization a top employer of choice.
Would you like to talk to someone about your small- to medium-sized business HR needs? Agilec offers affordable HR assistance that is available to your business. You can learn more here.
