Freshen Up Your HR Practices: A Spring-Cleaning Guide
As the spring season brings new beginnings and fresh starts, it's the perfect time for your human resources practices to undergo a thorough spring cleaning. At Strategic HR Advisory, we understand the importance of staying up to date with the latest regulations and ensuring that your company's HR policies are both compliant and effective. In this blog post, we'll explore key areas for HR spring cleaning and provide valuable insights to help your company thrive in the new season.
Conducting HR Assessments
Spring is an ideal time to assess the overall health and effectiveness of your HR processes. Our comprehensive HR assessment service provides a national perspective on your human resource practices, identifying areas for improvement and opportunities for growth. Take a second and look at your company and assess:
Does your organization have the HR fundamentals and best practices in place to prevent costly liability?
Are Federal/State/Local labor law posters and your applicable California Wage Order posted in the workplace and/or provided to employees?
Do you have a fully completed and accurate I-9 for each employee with both Sections 1 and 2 completed?
Is your employee handbook up to date with laws for the current year?
Do you have clear job descriptions for each employee and pay scales?
Are you ensuring that both employees and supervisors meet the harassment training requirements, including completion within six months of hire and every two years thereafter?
Do you have a signed policy acknowledgment?
If you have employees in California:
Are hourly employees provided written notice at the time of hire in accordance with California Labor Code Section 2810.50?
Do you have an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) and ongoing safety training for employees?
Have you started developing a Workplace Violence Program which needs to be implemented on July 1st, 2024?
Updating Your Company Handbook
For companies operating in California, staying compliant with state-specific regulations is essential. From reproductive loss leave to the new NLRB recommendations, we'll ensure that your HR policies comply with California laws. Our human resources experts can assist you in updating your company handbook to reflect the latest changes for the new year.
Here are some recent updates to know about:
Reproductive Loss Leave states that employees who experience multiple reproductive losses are entitled to up to 20 days (about 3 weeks) of leave in any 12-month period.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act federally requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and/or related medical conditions.
Paid sick leave time has increased. The minimum amount of paid sick leave employers must provide employees is from three days or 24 hours to five days or 40 hours.
The NLRB determines whether employees want to be represented by a union in dealing with their employers and, if so, by which union.
Document Retention
Proper document retention is essential for ensuring legal compliance and protecting your company in an audit or litigation. Our experts can assist you in developing a comprehensive document retention policy tailored to your company's specific needs ranging from I-9 forms, wage equality, exit interviews, and Workplace Violence forms.
As you embark on your spring-cleaning journey, don't overlook the importance of refreshing your HR practices. With Strategic HR Advisory by your side, you can trust that your HR operations are in capable hands. From conducting assessments to updating your company handbook and addressing key legislative changes, we're here to support your company every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our HR consulting services and start spring cleaning your HR practices for success.