In my last Insight, I explained four of the most common mistakes employers make regarding employee relations issues.
With regard to those four common mistakes, here’s how to effectively handle them:
- Mistake 1: Acting on Emotions—Employers need to wait until they calm down, so they’re not making a snap decision they might regret the next day or later down the road.
Decisions that are based on emotion or anger could very likely end up resulting in litigation costs for an employer.
Therefore, before making an employment decision, employers should review any written documentation or supporting evidence. Employers should be sure that they have the facts before taking any adverse employment actions.
- Mistake 2: Communication—Professional communication in the employee-manager relationship is always important. It’s crucial to have ongoing communication, and employees should be having this type of communication with their managers from the time they are hired to the time they leave the job.
Employees need to know what’s expected of them and what the company’s rules and policies are. Employees want feedback on their work. Such feedback may include praise and can even include constructive criticism (criticism that is worded in a manner that is beneficial to the employee).
Professional communication helps to build trust and understanding of the company’s culture, goals and ethics.
- Mistake 3: Favoritism—Employees need to know the rules and what’s expected of them, and it’s important for them to have policies and procedures in place. And those policies and procedures need to be supported from the top down.
So, if the policies are followed consistently by all employees and the company, employees will feel they are being treated fairly.
Favoritism often happens when a few or a group of employees are treated differently than everyone else. And this can occur in numerous areas, such as discrimination, following rules, vacation time, etc.
There are so many areas in which favoritism can occur. That’s why it’s important for employers to treat all employees fairly and consistently at all times.
- Mistake 4: Not Knowing Employment Laws—There are so many employment laws out there, and it’s really important for employers to stay current with such laws.
If an employer is not knowledgeable of all applicable federal, state and/or local laws, that employer should contact someone who can help them, such as an employment lawyer or an HR professional.
If an employer follows these aforementioned suggestions in avoiding the four common mistakes made regarding employee relations issues, an employer will likely be able to minimize their liability.
I always try to talk to companies and get them to understand these kinds of things and to do the best business practices and what’s in the best interest of all involved parties.
Employers want to have productive employees who feel like they’re being treated fairly.
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