Managing staff can be a difficult task. However, staff can often be the driving force behind a business’ success. Here we look at what to consider when managing staff.
Document the position: Before hiring anyone, write out a job description that clearly outlines the work to be done and specify any special qualifications needed to fill the job.
Describe the Basic Rules: After selecting the most appropriate person for the job, describe the basic rules, set clear standards and outline items such as annual leave and sick leave entitlements. Advise them of a probationary period, how and when they are paid and have them sign a letter of offer.
Train Staff: Training sessions reinforce your expectations and ensure that standards are maintained. Types of training to include are motivational, technical and industrial.
Building employee morale
Building Employee Morale: Studies indicate that employees take more interest in their work when they are encouraged to share their ideas and see them implemented.
Morale and team spirit are important to the success of a business, consider the following points:
Welcome your employee’s ideas on how conditions might be improved.
Improve your general understanding of human behaviour.
Hire people who are motivated and committed to building a business.
Make reasonable efforts to keep jobs interesting and challenging.
Conduct Employee Performance Reviews. These tell employees where they’re succeeding or falling short.
Outline Salary and Pay Rises: Certain minimum conditions are implied in every job agreement, including a base salary, annual leave, sick days, public holidays, and paid redundancy leave.
Performance-based bonuses are quickly replacing the annual pay rise. Tell an employee exactly what he or she has to do to earn a bonus and you’ll see how often the bonus is earned.
Turn Workers into Peak Performers: Establish clear goals and objectives, then let the employees do their jobs as they see fit. Give a lot of encouragement and direction if it is needed, but continue to allow workers to determine how their job gets done.
Assess Employee Mistakes: It’s important to determine whether the mistake was made honestly or if it happened as a result of sloppiness or laziness.
Make sure that he/she understands how they messed up and watch that it doesn’t become a consistent pattern.
Be Aware of Government Regulations: As government regulations relating to work conditions vary from time to time, it’s important for every employer to be aware of current requirements, including worker’s compensation insurance, superannuation and PAYG requirements.
