Posted September 2nd, 2012 by bbsadmin & filed under General Business, Human Resources, Start-Ups.
As a business owner, you know your product, service, market and customers. But sometimes one of the most challenging aspects of operating a business is employees. Not because the employees themselves are a challenge but because there’s so much legislation and nuances to employee relations.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a go-to list of resources that can provide answers to common HR questions or solve those nagging people issues? Well, while this list is not a substitution for legal advice, these seven resources can lend a hand in understanding the complexities of labor and employment matters for your business.
- There are several well-written human resources blogs that offer pertinent, common-sense advice. Two of my favorites are Ask a Manager and Evil HR Lady. Both written by practicing HR pros, these blogs offer a unique format by answering questions from readers. At first glance, it might appear the questions are trivial or unrealistic, but trust me, I’ve seen many of the same situations. And, dealing with everyday internal squabbles or misunderstandings can consume a lot of time.
The Department of Labor offers an easy to maneuver site covering many of the common questions employers ask, especially when it concerns employee wages. I find it becomes particularly useful when companies are sending employees to off-site training or conferences – not something companies do every day but you sure want to know how to pay people when those situations arise.
G.Neil is a one-stop HR supply shop for your small business. They are well-known for their 5-in-1 labor law posters as well as a service that will notify you when updates are issued. G.Neil also offers a popular attendance tracking system that allows you to record all of an employee’s time-off requests on a single piece of paper – very convenient.
Monster.com is considered one of the top (if not the top) job board in existence. Besides being able to post jobs on Monster, companies can save job searches and constantly monitor the site for talent. This can be very valuable if you have positions you hire for regularly or a job that’s difficult to fill. Even if you’re not hiring, the site has developed specialized community forums in Sales, Health Care, Administrative services, etc. so you can stay on top of industry trends and commentary.
SmartBrief publishes several B2B electronic newsletters for business owners, entrepreneurs, and specialized industries. Their offering includes partnerships with NFIB, NAWBO, Non-Profits, etc. Subscriptions are free and they allow you access to a wide variety of content. They give you the best of the best so you don’t have to scour multiple sources for great information.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is a professional association and the leading voice of the human resources profession. I can’t even begin to tell you how much content is on their website. Some of it is free. And for a nominal fee, members have access to articles, white papers, templates, tools, etc. I regularly use their Knowledge Center for answers to everyday questions such as inclement weather policies. SHRM also provides regular updates on pending employment legislation.
Your Local Chamber of Commerce can be a good resource to find meetings and workshops on common employment challenges. My local chamber regularly partners with consultants or law firms to offer topical sessions. And you don’t always have to be a member to attend.
Take a moment and bookmark these sites. It might not be a list of resources you use every day, but when you do need them, you will be happy you had them bookmarked.