Member Article

Summer HR Scare Stories – And How To Avoid Them In Your Business

Any time of the year brings challenges for business owners when it comes to managing a team of people, and the summer is no different. Everyone might be in a slightly better mood when the sun starts to shine, but there are potential issues that you need to be aware of to ensure the smooth running of your operations. No one likes to think about the worst case scenario, but being prepared and thinking about your plan of action is always better than being caught off-guard.

Here, we’re going to take a look at a few HR horror stories from the summer months, and explain how you can avoid the fallout in your business.

A key member of staff gets stuck in a foreign country

Millions of British holidaymakers fly out to sunnier climes every summer, and most journeys are without any glitches. But what would happen if your member of staff got stuck in a different country due to a cancelled flight, and they’re due to meet a very important client or deliver a big presentation? Back in 2010, the ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland caused massive travel chaos.

The reality here is that if a similar situation struck, there’s very little that you can do about it. The key is making sure that you’re not putting your business in a situation whereby one member of staff is irreplaceable. There should always be someone who can step up and make sure that the job still gets done.

You see a ’sick’ member of staff enjoying a holiday on social media

You think that your employee is absent due to illness. But then you see them tagged in a photo on Facebook, looking very well and enjoying some beach time in an exotic resort. What do you do next? Well first of all, it’s wise to resist jumping to conclusions. The picture could have been taken a long time ago, and you might have simply got the wrong end of the stick.

If you suspect though that your policies aren’t being adhered to, then it’s vital that you follow your own rules and investigate the situation before making a decision about the best course of action. This is why having robust and up to date policies is absolutely essential.

Productivity drops through the floor, and targets are not being met

Many workplaces face a productivity slump over the summer season. Staff are out of the office, looking forward to holidays, and their social lives might step up a level while they enjoy beer gardens and barbecues and festivals. It’s normal for output levels to vary depending on the time of the year, but you can’t just let the situation continue.

As we head towards the end of the summer season, it’s a great time to consider how you’ll ensure that your business and your staff are fully prepared for a big push towards achieving your goals in the final quarter.

Got an HR scare story of your own that you know you need to deal with before it spirals out of control? We can help you. Get in touch today to arrange a no-obligation consultation, and we can discuss how we might be able to work together to overcome your people management challenges.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Oculus HR .