A rewarding part of growing your business is bringing new employees aboard. But it can also be very challenging. Identifying the right people and adapting them to your processes isn’t easy. Keeping them engaged and productive over the long term is a constant challenge. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when developing your team.
Asking the wrong interview questions
Some questions you can’t legally ask of applicants. This includes age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, medical history, and more. A lot of interviewers outside of HR professionals know that discrimination is wrong, but few are aware that any questioning along those lines could also get you in trouble. Some candidates may see this as grounds for a lawsuit if they’re denied a job, or see your company as unprofessional. The latter could cost you some good employees.
Not setting clear expectations
You should make all responsibilities and obligations clear before making any employment offers. Every employee that joins your company should receive a written job description. This includes work schedules, quotas, lunch times, and break periods. Also discuss benefits and performance review and raise policies. This way there are no surprises, and you can weed out candidates who aren’t comfortable with your rules, or set a baseline for negotiation.
Employee safety
Protecting your employees’ health and safety should be a priority. For one thing, it’s the law. Educate all new hires regarding use and storage of hazardous materials, and safe operation of each piece of equipment. Implement systems like keycard access and surveillance cameras to secure the premises. Be sure to maintain fire extinguishers, first aid kits, eye-wash stations, and any other safety precautions that fit your industry. Maintain a working relationship with an attorney who can represent your company and employees in the event of any accidents during the transportation of them or your products. Above all, encourage employees to report any potential risks they see.
Not making the new employee welcome
Getting new staff to feel comfortable as soon as possible is important. The sooner this happens the sooner they’ll become productive and able to interact comfortably as part of the team. Introduce final applicants to a few team members to get their reactions. Provide any training new hires require, and note how they’re progressing. Consider a mentorship period with a senior employee who can show them the proper ways to get things done and introduce them to others.
Onboarding new employees is always a little awkward in the beginning for everyone concerned. But avoiding these mistakes can help to make it a smoother, faster, and more rewarding process.
