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Organizations who strive to achieve long-term success and productivity need a knowledgeable HR. Issues which arise need to be solved quickly and successfully. Otherwise, it will negatively reflect on the organization.
Among many obligations, HR needs to ensure that the company complies to employment regulations and industry updates. The ever-changing rules don’t make things easier for HR teams in their pursuit of compliance. It is no surprise that 2019 has prepared some obstacles for the HR managers.
Let's take a look at compliance challenges that will put the HR team under pressure and provide some solutions on how to deal with them.
1. Recruiting
Finding and retaining skilled employees is one of the challenges that recruiting managers will need to face.
Millennials are actively pursuing the new trend of freelancing or being their own boss. This makes it hard for recruiters to find full-time top talents for their company.
Not to mention the dynamic of Millennials' careers. A constant shift from one job position to another is a part of their business world.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 2.4% of employed American workers had voluntarily quit their job by the end of July 2018. In 2019, a third of workers seriously considered quitting their jobs.
The chase for a better position, better terms, and independence will make HR managers work much harder to find and retain the top talent. See how technology is helping reduce recruiter's workload.
Measures of precaution:
- Discuss with current employees their satisfaction with the workplace.
- Let the employer know about your findings.
- Support better work relations and inform the employer if the work conditions are below standard.
2. Workplace sexual harassment
The workplace relationships and crossing the line has caused a lot of controversy in 2018. This means that the pressure in 2019 is even higher.
The business world will never be the same after the #MeToo movement. Publicly speaking about the harassment, especially at the workplace has made a great compliance shift.
Updated laws on workplace harassment have been passed in some states of the US. These laws deal with how employers need to ensure safety for their employees and make their best effort to prevent any wrongdoings.
Measures of precaution:
- Inquire about workplace harassment prevention.
- Educate your employees about the importance of this law.
- Encourage every employee to openly speak about their doubts and fears.
Source: Pexels3. Minimum wage
The federal minimum wage is keeping its stand with $7.25 for almost a decade. What is changing is the state and local minimum wages.
In order to help the workers and improve the economy, some states have been increasing the minimum wage.
For example, on January 1st New Jersey's minimum wage has risen from $8.60 to $8.85 per hour. The ultimate goal is to reach $15 per hour.
New York shares the same ambitions. It all started in 2016 when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation to increase the New York State's minimum wage to $15 per hour. On December 31st, 2019, New York State is expected to raise the minimum wage to $11.80 per hour.
The HR manager needs to comply with this change because even local municipalities are aiming for an increase.
Measures of precaution:
- Keeping up with both state and local legislation.
- Informing the owner about announced increases.
- Presenting all the terms that go with the change.
4. Adapting to technology
Technology is completely changing the way companies do their business. While large corporations can’t function anymore without the latest technology, small businesses are still in the process of adaptation.
Business owners, employees, and HR teams tend to shy away from technology. Even though it is a change that is bound to happen, some businesses are a strong advocate for the old way.
With each year, the pressure will grow stronger and HR managers need to support the inevitable change. From a competitive standpoint, technology is a necessity.
The HR job position can also be improved with this change. Technology can speed up communication, recruitment, and training.
It is up to HR to know how to address the benefits and risks in workplace policies.
Measures of precaution:
- Read industry news to follow up with the latest technology.
- Support and explain the importance of using technology.
- Make the process of adapting to technology easier by going through writing sites to find a writer and prepare a simplified manual.
Source: Pexels5. Digital Security
The dark side of technology is the risk of cyber-attacks. Unfortunately, cyber-attacks have become very common in the business world. Hackers aren’t only going for important corporations, but small businesses have also become a target.
In 2018, 47% of small businesses suffered a cyber-attack. The reason why nearly half of small business had to face this is that they don't have strategies that will help them ward off and detect the attack or reduce the damage.
By making information available on the cloud, online payment portals, or even social media, businesses are making themselves vulnerable.
Since technology can't and shouldn't be avoided, the only solution is prevention.
HR teams need to tackle the question of digital security. It should be one of their biggest concerns in 2019 to spread awareness about this matter.
Measures of precaution:
- Understand the cyber security requirements.
- Educate employees about cyber risks.
- Advocate for hiring ethical hackers that will analyze the vulnerabilities in the business's security system.
How can HR managers stay on top of their game?
Besides dealing with each compliance separately, there are some ways that can help HR teams and managers to be aware of any upcoming compliances and changes.
Every HR manager should:
- Keep up with recent HR trends on the federal, state, and local level.
- Read industry news on relevant blogs to stay informed.
- Subscribe to emails from the department of labor.
- Regularly check the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) website for any important news.
Final thoughts
Having knowledge of any current restraints and upcoming changes is always recommendable in this line of work. Addressing the above-mentioned challenges in a timely manner will help any HR manager to successfully avoid problems.
Compliance is a complex matter which demands HR teams to keep up-to-date and learn how they can address any change. Considering that HR compliance seems to get more demanding with each year, adapt to every regulation and innovation as soon as possible.
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