Human Resource Essentials

I had the opportunity to facilitate a Sterling Bank Women’s Business Initiative luncheon in Houston featuring a distinguished panel of human resources experts. Sue Burnett (Owner and President, Burnett Staffing Specialists), Wanda Dalton (Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Sterling Bank), and Cristina Solomon (Labor, Employment and Immigration Attorney, Winstead) each shared her insight into the issues that employers face today, which include recruiting, retention, and legal issues in the workplace. The panel also touched on the impacts of a maturing population that is resulting in a multi-generational office.

The following list is a synopsis of the discussions:

Listen! Ask a candidate open-ended questions and let her talk.
Involve colleagues in interviewing key hires.
Seek referrals from your existing employees and pay referral bonuses.
Do not write on a candidate’s resume during the interview process.
In a legal dispute all employee documentation is considered, not just the official personnel file.
When you make a hiring mistake, don’t compound the mistake by keeping the employee too long. Decide quickly to end the relationship.
Texas Workforce Commission website http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ provides employer resources.
Do not hire only in your own image.
Provide flexible work options.
Turnover that is too low can be perceived as a lack of a career track for motivated candidates.
No generation has all the answers.
The most candid references will not come from the HR department.
Reference checks and background checks are important tools.