A Year-End Checklist That Won’t Make You Say “Bah Humbug”
Twas the end of the year, and all through the office, not a creature was stirring, not even the office mouse – because they were all at the holiday party, thanks to HR's meticulous event planning.
As your neighborhood employee engagement and retention caroler, I'm here to show up on your virtual doorstep (or inbox) to guide you through a year-end checklist that will make even Scrooge crack a smile. So, grab your cocoa, put on your festive sweater, and let's sleigh this checklist!
1. Review your HR Budget
Start by checking your HR budget – after all, you want to make sure you have enough gingerbread cookies for everyone. Allocate resources wisely, ensuring there's enough dough for those special perks employees want to feel valued, like professional development and conferences.
2. Performance Reviews
Evaluate this year’s performance like a movie critic at the Oscars. Highlight the stars and work on turning the supporting cast into leading players for next year's blockbuster projects. Better yet, ensure employees know how they’re tracking towards goals throughout the year by doing performance reviews every 6 months instead of annually.
3. Plan the Holiday Party
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, but don't forget the hot cocoa – it's essential for spontaneous moments of holiday cheer. Make your party so memorable that even the Grinch would regret not attending. 80’s Prom theme, anyone?
4. New Year’s Resolutions
Encourage each department to set their Big Goals for the next 6 months. Maybe Marketing resolves to be more "punny" in their campaigns, or IT resolves to fix all those pesky printer issues. A little humor goes a long way! Either way, make sure they’re measurable SMART Goals.
5. Review Company Policies
Review your Employee Handbook and make sure your policies are as up-to-date as the latest tech gadgets on everyone's wish list. No one wants an ancient relic from the era of fax machines and floppy disks. It’s a great time to refresh or clarify any policies that may have confused employees. Make sure all employees acknowledge your new and improved Handbook.
6. Remind Employees to Update Information
Send gentle reminders to update addresses and tax documents – because we all need the right address to deliver gifts to. Encourage your employees to go paperless in your HRIS so they can receive their tax documents electronically.
7. Review Vendor Contracts
Check vendor contracts twice; you wouldn't want any surprise price hikes or delivery delays. Be proactive about contract renewals and make sure you’re doing regular assessments to see if that service is still needed. It's the naughty list for vendors who don't play nice.
8. Back Up HR Data
Just like backing up those embarrassing holiday party photos, ensure your HR data is safely stored. You never know when you might need to reference that ugly sweater contest.
9. Clean Workspaces
Organize workspaces – a tidy desk is a happy desk. Plus, it makes it easier for the elves, I mean, janitorial staff, to work their magic after hours.
10. New Year Calendar
Create the new Payroll and Holiday calendar for the new year. This quick-glance document comes in handy for employees when planning PTO and answering the occasional “When’s the next payday?”
Feeling overwhelmed? Let's chat about how to make your HR processes smoother than Santa's sleigh ride. Book a call and let's sleigh this holiday season together! After all, who needs stress when you can have joy, laughter, and a workforce that's as merry as a bunch of carolers singing your praises?
Remember, HR doesn't have to be a year-end saga – with the right strategies, it can be a holiday hit that keeps employees humming "Jingle Bells" all year long!