Employment Law V Running a Business -10 Tips to help you win the fight.

Whether you are a small business owner with a few employees, a large organisation, a team leader trying to get results, a director trying to lead or a manager of many, employing people can sometimes feel like a fight.

The rapid rate of change in employment law baffles even the most experienced of us HR professionals and there is a common view that employment law is a barrier to people management, leadership, and the success of an organisation. Seen as costly, ineffective, in favour of those bad apples in the barrel and nothing for the employer!

Having spent many years advising, training and coaching on people management I would like to share my “8 Rounds” of quick tips to help you win the fight and manage people and your business together.

Round 1- Preparation is Key

All through the life cycle of managing people from recruitment to appraisals to disciplinary to performance management preparation is key. Even before the employee begins work on the first day, the laws apply and your performance is judged. No boxer would step into the ring without full training, knowing their opponent and how they may play the fight and considering their own tactics.

Treat employee meetings the same. No matter whether the meeting is to deliver a difficult message or praise, a short meeting or in depth, do not hold any meetings without preparation and strategy. Know your opponent and if it will be a battle. Gather your evidence and go through the potential reactions of the employee. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Round 2- Early Intervention- Don’t let yourself get up against the ropes

Don’t be rocky and leave yourself a fight at the last. Deal with any people issues as they arise. Nip them in the bud and keep a record. In theory this should prevent a fight at all but equally if you go the full 12 rounds, having followed process from the start you will be thankful.

Round 3- Keep your Guard up- Know what can and can’t be said

The Equality Act governs discrimination, harassment and bullying and it is vital you know what you can say and how you should act, but also how all employees in your organisation are acting to ensure an ethos of respect for all.

Round 4- Be assertive not aggressive

You are trying to prevent a fight not start one so be assertive with your views and manner but do not use aggression and power. There is a clear difference. Those that are assertive stand up for their rights without impinging on those of others, shutting others down or attacking. Assertive people listen but make themselves heard with clarity and control.

Round 5- Fight Fair

Know your employees rights and make sure your organisation has these in place. Set clear rules and procedures, document them and live by them consistently for all.

Round 6- Don’t lose technique- Point scoring

If you find yourself in a situation when you are mid fight, remember your training. The processes work and you need to follow them to comply with legislation. If a fight goes all the way you will get judged on how you have behaved, meeting notes, letters, fair behaviour. It all counts.

Round 7- Keep the Peace with happy people

If you don’t want a fight, try to ensure a happy workforce. Take steps to recognise, motivate and engage. Lead by example from the top, set organisational values and live by them.

Round 8- Coaching Works

As with all sports a good coach is vital. Adopt a coaching approach with your people. Give them autonomy, motivation, job satisfaction, problem solving skills and creativity. Coach your team to be effective and work together for the result you want.

Thanks for reading.

I hope this provides some useful tips to ease the fight but for more information please contact me or comment below.