| If you were given the task of setting up a | | | | techniques?What kind of compensation plan do |
| new Human Resource Department in a small | | | | you have? Is it meeting the organization's |
| company where would you begin? Such a task | | | | needs? Is it motivating your employees? Is it |
| would be extremely daunting, but not | | | | competitive and fair? How about your |
| impossible, if you follow a few tips. To | | | | benefits? Are you getting the best coverage |
| begin, you need to answer some basic | | | | for your people at a price the employees and |
| questions:Why do you want to set one up? | | | | the organization can afford? Is your total |
| What's changed to make you or the | | | | compensation attractive enough to retain |
| organization believe that an HR department is | | | | existing people and be an incentive to new |
| needed now? What do you want the HR | | | | people?What's it like working at your |
| department to do? How will this function | | | | company? Are people productive and motivated? |
| contribute to the success and bottom-line of | | | | Are you looking at the indicators of a |
| the organization? Will it add value?In other | | | | productive and motivated workforce |
| words, before you begin the task, you need to | | | | (absenteeism, tardiness, turnover, |
| have a clear definition of the mission and | | | | grievances, high workers' compensation rates, |
| goals of the department and secondly, what | | | | poor quality, missed deliveries, and poor |
| role you will play as "head" of the HR | | | | productivity)?What about your training? Are |
| function. Once you have clear direction, | | | | manager's and employee's skills current? Is |
| there are some key "audit" issues that you | | | | training a "way-of-life"? Are you growing |
| need to focus on.Do you have personnel files | | | | your people or do you have to go to the |
| on all your employees? Are they current? Do | | | | outside every time you need someone with a |
| you have all the legally required | | | | specialization? Are supervisors effectively |
| documentation? Do you have items in the files | | | | managing their employees?Are managers and |
| that don't belong there?Do you have policies | | | | employees kept informed? Do they know what's |
| and procedures? Are they up-to-date? Are they | | | | going on? Is the grapevine the main source of |
| followed? Do you have an employee handbook? | | | | communication? What are the sources of |
| Do you have the right language in it? Have | | | | communication?Obviously it is impossible to |
| you inadvertently created a contract between | | | | make a complete guide of things you need to |
| you and your employees? Do you have policies | | | | consider when starting a new HR department in |
| dealing with ADA, EEO, FMLA, sexual | | | | a small company. However, these are some of |
| harassment, workers' compensation, safety, | | | | things you should consider. As you begin the |
| benefits, discipline, etc.?Are you in | | | | process, get some professional help, whether |
| compliance with state and federal | | | | through networking with peers, other |
| regulations? Do you have a working knowledge | | | | organizations, or outside expertise. It is a |
| of the law? Do you have all the required | | | | big task, but one that is critical to the |
| postings, forms, and documentation required | | | | organization.Rick Dacri is an organizational |
| by the respective governmental agencies? Are | | | | development consultant, coach and featured |
| all the managers aware of their legal | | | | speaker at regional and national conferences. |
| responsibilities and liabilities?Are you | | | | Since 1995 his firm, Dacri & Associates ( has |
| recruiting and selecting the right people? | | | | focused on improving the performance of |
| Are you aware of the talent and skills needed | | | | individuals and organizations. Rick publishes |
| to move your organization forward? Do you | | | | a monthly newsletter, the Dacri Report ( with |
| know where to find these people? Are you | | | | the intent to provide clients and friends |
| recruiting in a cost effective manner? Are | | | | critical information on issues that impact |
| your managers trained in interviewing | | | | them, their organization and their employees. |