Human Resources Guide For Small To Medium Enterprises

Without HR outsourcing, SMEs face a number ofcompilation of a formal employment manual that all
human resources tasks and should take into accountnew employees and existing employees can refer to.
the following types of activities:This manual will need to be updated as changes to
1. The human resources area should be segregatedlaws and regulations take affect.
from the rest of the enterprise in order to maintain9. All legal and regulatory reports must be prepared by
privacy and confidentiality. The HR function shouldhuman resources in order to comply with local
report to a high level person within the enterprise whorequirements on a timely basis.
is authorized to make decisions.10. Employee benefits and salaries need to be
2. The person or persons in charge of humanreviewed on a periodic basis in order to retain and
resources should handle the payroll functions eithermaintain proper levels of compensation.
in-house or in coordination with an outside vendor. The11. The job specific training of employees must be
distribution of payroll checks should be handled by HR.monitored and controlled by HR for purposes of
3. All input for salaries, bonuses, employee benefits aseconomy and quality of work.
well as changes to payment conditions should be12. Vacation and sick days must be controlled by
handled by human resources.human resources in order to maintain the level of days
4. All changes to salaries, employee benefits, timeagreed upon.
sheets, and vacation schedules should be handled by13. Employee travel should be controlled and
HR.maintained by human resources for purposes of
5. Any and all employee complaints, counselling andconsistency and proper control of costs. All approvals
issues of controversy should be coordinated by theneed to be obtained and all travel documentation must
head of human resources and the applicablebe authenticated.
department within the enterprise. The higher level14. All labour union relationships and communications
person that the HR area reports to must beshould be maintained by HR. However, the executive
immediately informed of these types of issues.manager directly in charge of human resources must
6. The head of HR should provide executivebe notified of such communication.
management with budgets, forecasts and otherThe above tasks represent the core functions that
statistical reports that are necessary in order to runhuman resources should be in charge of. However,
the enterprise.other responsibilities may arise since the handling of
7. Whenever staff are needed, the head of humanpeople may involve other issues such as injuries,
resources should coordinate the needs of thedisabilities and circumstances that change on a day to
enterprise with the interview and hiring functions.day basis.
8. Another important task for human resources is the