HR Strategies for September
It's that time of year again-- back to school and back to work! (okay okay, I know we've all been working this summer, but for some reason it hits different in the fall)
September is a natural transition in the business world, including employees coming and going from our company and schedules shifting to meet family needs. As with any transition in life, there can be some turbulence and I want to take this time to share some tips on how to prepare for potential bumps in the road and make sure there is smooth sailing as you settle into the last few months of the year.
When I am planning for shifts in business that impact HR, these three things stand out:
An increase in schedule changes and absenteeism with family responsibilities and sick days
A push in hiring efforts and training new hires as September is typically a higher turnover month
More anxiety, irritability and frustration on the team as days get shorter and we're spending less time outside
If we're not prepared for the seasonal ebb and flow in our business, it can often feel like we're scrambling during the second half of the year. So let's add some HR strategies to our business plan to make it easier on ourselves as leaders and on our teams. As many of you know, I've been leading HR strategies in companies that get hit HARD during the season changes so let me share some strategies I have used that has set my team up for success:
Have a team huddle to open up communication around expectations, performance, and how to keep everyone updated as you move into the fall season.
Where needed (think customer service based roles), overschedule the first few weeks of September in anticipation of sick calls and last minute schedule changes.
Create longer deadlines in anticipation of absences and the new hire learning curve.
Add some 'pick me up' events to keep your keep spirits high during the winter months (bonus points if you can find something to do outside!)
Managing feels a lot less overwhelming when you know what to expect. If you have questions about your specific business, send me an email (hello@equalpeople.ca) and we can talk it through.