26 Apr Employment and Health & Safety
Getting it right the first time!
It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “if I had nine hours to cut down a tree, I would spend six hours sharpening my axe”.
When it comes to the employment systems in your business, have you planned for this or is it something that just happens and you hope that it goes ok? Many businesses rely on the employment agreement as being the only document that is important.
If this sounds like your business, I suggest you think again.
Please click here to download a list of suggested documents that may assist you to avoid those embarrassing employment situations.
Depending on the size of your business, you may not use all the documents – but I am sure it will provide your business with a process to follow.
Note – please contact Hasmate if you would like to purchase a copy of any of these suggested documents.
I recently heard that an American study identified that it costs 213% of the salary to employ a qualified or highly skilled employee and 20% of the salary of a general worker. Would NZ be any different considering that challenge facing many employers in today’s competitive employment market place? I suggest you do the sums and then it will make you aware of the need for good hiring and employment management systems for the retention of your employees.
Where staffing is concerned, I’m sure a lot of you will know it can be slim pickings out there when it comes to finding good, qualified and experienced employees that are ideal for your business. When it comes to finding the right person for the job, don’t settle for second best. The downside of not getting the wrong person is that it can prove to be costly in many ways – apart from the direct and indirect cost, it’s the time and frustration that takes you away from your day to day activities.
Guidelines
A lawyer never goes to court with an empty briefcase, so why should you? I am sure we have all read or heard the horror stories of other companies having to defend themselves in mediation, arbitration and through the employment court. Often, the business is to be found at fault with the employee receiving compensation, and you wonder why?
In most cases, its due to the business not having any or limited employment processes in place and if they do, have not passed on or trained other key managers in the employment and disciplinary processes. Too often they believe that having an “employment agreement” is all that’s required, how wrong they are! In employment disputes, it’s the devil lies in the detail.
Please click here to see a flowchart of how to include health and safety processes into the employment process.
So, what’s the answer? Hasmate have developed a range of practical employment guidelines, procedures and supporting documentation to assist you through this employment process to help you to get it right first time.
For any questions, please contact us today.