Human Resources Best Practices

A list of Human Resources best practices that you can utilize at your practice.

Create and maintain HR policies and procedures

• Review policies with all new hires, even temporary employees
• Reevaluate regularly and update policies as needed - keep employees in the know
• Check out sample policies online and tailor them to meet your practice needs or seek the advice of an HR professional

Take the hiring process seriously

• Talk less/listen more during job interviews
• Ask questions that provide for more than a yes or no response, but be careful to avoid questions that are prohibited by law (refer to EEOC guidance)
• Don’t hire just anyone (particularly family members or patients)

Maintain employee documentation

• Keep job descriptions current (no more than 3 years old). Update as job duties change/evolve
• Maintain employee files that contain the application, performance reviews, counseling, emails, signed documentation, benefits documentation and forms

Treat employees equally and with respect

• Set expectations up front - be the positive example
• Be consistent in your dealings with all employees
• Act quickly with immediate feedback – good or bad
• Avoid biased behavior (positive attitude and feedback towards employees you like, but negative towards those you don’t)
• Praise in public, correct in private
• Keep employee issues confidential

Have resources and counsel available for HR issues as they arise

• Know where (and when) to turn for guidance (i.e., state and federal Department of Labor website, Society for Human Resource Management website, MGMA, human resources trade publications, etc.)
• Have a relationship with an attorney specializing in employer labor issues