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Unlocking Efficiency and Expertise: The Benefits of Hiring a Fractional HR Provider for Smaller Municipalities

4/4/2024

In today's dynamic work environment, smaller municipalities face unique challenges in managing their human resources (HR) needs efficiently. The fluctuating nature of HR demands, particularly during periods of seasonal hiring or collective bargaining, calls for a flexible yet expert approach to HR management. This is where hiring a fractional HR provider, such as UpSourced HR, becomes a game-changer, offering a customizable solution that caters to the evolving needs of smaller municipalities.

Fractional HR vs. Traditional HR: A Comprehensive Breakdown

10/24/2023

In the diverse world of Human Resources, businesses are constantly seeking innovative solutions to manage their workforce effectively. As a result, newer HR models have emerged to cater to the varying needs of different companies. Among these, the concept of "Fractional HR" has been gaining traction, particularly among startups and SMEs. But how does it stack up against Traditional HR? Let's delve into a comprehensive breakdown of the two.

The Power of Applicant Tracking Systems: Benefits and Choosing the Right One

10/17/2023

Navigating the complex maze of recruitment can be daunting for any organization. From sifting through hundreds of resumes to ensuring timely communications with applicants, the recruitment process demands precision and efficiency. Enter Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These digital wonders have revolutionized recruitment, offering a myriad of benefits to streamline and optimize hiring processes. In this post, we'll dive deep into the advantages of using an ATS, with a special mention of our recommended system: Zoho Recruit.

Why a Good Workplace Investigation Matters: The Importance of Hiring an External Investigator

6/5/2023

In today's world, workplace investigations have become an essential part of managing employees and maintaining a healthy work environment. They help to ensure that employees are treated fairly, that workplace policies and procedures are being followed, and that any potential issues are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner. However, conducting a good workplace investigation is not always easy, and there are times when it is best to hire an external investigator. Here's why.

Impartiality: One of the most important reasons to hire an external investigator is to ensure impartiality. It can be challenging to conduct an investigation when the investigator has a pre-existing relationship with the parties involved or when there is a potential conflict of interest. Hiring an external investigator removes any potential bias and ensures that the investigation is conducted in a fair and objective manner.
Expertise: Conducting a workplace investigation requires specialized knowledge and skills. External investigators are trained to handle complex investigations and are up-to-date on the latest legal and regulatory requirements. They know how to gather and analyze evidence, conduct interviews, and make recommendations based on their findings. By hiring an external investigator, you can ensure that the investigation is conducted efficiently and effectively.
Confidentiality: Workplace investigations can be sensitive, and it's important to ensure that the confidentiality of all parties involved is protected. External investigators are experienced in maintaining confidentiality and can ensure that sensitive information is not shared with unauthorized parties. This helps to protect the privacy of all parties involved and can prevent any potential reputational damage to the organization.
Credibility: A good workplace investigation requires credibility. It's important that all parties involved have confidence in the process and the outcome. External investigators are viewed as independent and impartial, which can help to build trust and confidence in the investigation. This can be especially important in cases where there are potential legal or regulatory implications.
Cost-Effective: While hiring an external investigator may seem like an additional expense, it can actually be cost-effective in the long run. A poorly conducted investigation can lead to legal disputes, low employee morale, and reputational damage. By hiring an external investigator, you can ensure that the investigation is conducted properly and that any potential issues are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Conducting a good workplace investigation is essential for maintaining a healthy work environment and ensuring that employees are treated fairly. When the need arises, it's important to consider hiring an external investigator to ensure impartiality, expertise, confidentiality, credibility, and cost-effectiveness. By doing so, you can help to ensure that the investigation is conducted properly and that any potential issues are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

An HR Audit: Why It's Worth the Investment

5/22/2023

hr audit policy review

Human Resources (HR) is a critical function for any organization. It plays a vital role in managing the workforce and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. However, over time, HR practices and policies can become outdated or fail to keep pace with changes in the business environment. This is where an HR audit comes in.

An HR audit is a comprehensive review of an organization's HR policies, practices, and procedures. It provides an opportunity to identify areas of risk and opportunity, ensuring that the HR function is aligned with the organization's goals and objectives.

Here are some of the reasons why an HR audit is worth the investment:

Servant Leadership: The Power of Putting Others First

5/8/2023

Leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been studied and analyzed for decades. While there are many different leadership styles, one that has gained increasing attention in recent years is servant leadership.

At its core, servant leadership is all about prioritizing the needs of others above one's own. This style of leadership is based on the idea that leaders should serve their followers, rather than the other way around. Instead of focusing on their own power, status, or personal gain, servant leaders aim to empower and uplift those around them.

So, what are the key characteristics of a servant leader? Let's take a closer look:

Employee Retention Strategies

1/11/2023

Employee retention is a critical issue for any organization, as it can have a significant impact on productivity, morale, and overall performance. High turnover rates can be costly, both in terms of the financial and human resources required to find and train new employees. Therefore, implementing effective employee retention strategies is crucial for long-term success.

How to Properly Manage Employee Performance: Progressive Discipline Steps

5/2/2022

When it comes to the management of employee performance, many employers struggle with knowing where to start. It can be difficult to decide when and how to address an employee's poor performance. This is where a progressive discipline process comes in handy. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of progressive discipline and how to properly manage employee performance through this system.

Retaining top talent during The Great Resignation

4/29/2022

The pandemic has given employees a chance to reflect on what is truly important to them at their workplaces. As such, we have seen an ongoing trend in which employees are resigning from their jobs.

As an HR professional, I have seen many companies participate in various recruitment methods trying to attract top talent but I don’t see companies trying to RETAIN the talent that they already have as much.

While the focus has been on attracting new talent, it would be beneficial to evaluate what it would make current employees stay. Now employees are interested in more than a high salary and a benefits package. Employees want to feel valued, supported and appreciated.

Keep reading for some tips on how to retain your top employees...

Maximizing Employee Retention Through Stay Interviews

5/25/2021

Both stay interviews and exit interviews identify factors that drive an employee’s morale in the workplace with the main difference being timing of the interview. Implementing either of these interviews presents the opportunity for employees to express their opinions and give feedback about what they like (or dislike) about the job. But which type of interview has the biggest impact?

While both interviews have pros and cons, stay interviews focus on current employee retention, allowing employers to proactively seek an employee’s feedback before they decide to leave the company. As current employees are those who managers have invested the most time and resources into, it makes the most sense to communicate situations that could benefit their commitment and engagement.

Stay interviews are conducted periodically with employees during their employment. These interviews help managers to identify specific reasons why current employees are continuing to work for the company or potential concerns that employees may have. A few benefits of stay interviews include;

Promotes employee engagement before they decide to leave the company
Indicates the company has a supportive culture
Develops mutual trust, understanding and respect
Identifies issues that may need more support/direction

Although current employees may be cautious about reporting negative information, conducting stay interviews shows the employee that management values employee feedback. This open communication can often result in the employee sharing what motivates and engages them and what could be done to engage them even more. Exit interviews may be more valuable getting out negative opinions, but after the employee has handed in their resignation letter, it is likely too late to make any meaningful changes to retain that employee.