How Can Compliance With Changing Labor Laws Be Ensured in HR?
To help you navigate compliance with evolving labor laws while maintaining smooth daily operations, we asked industry experts for their best strategies. From assisting HR with policy updates to utilizing compliance publications and tools, here are the top five approaches shared by these leaders.
- Assist HR With Policy Updates
- Implement Proactive Training and Communication
- Invest in Compliance Experts
- Regularly Review and Update Policies
- Utilize Compliance Publications and Tools
Assist HR With Policy Updates
As an immigration lawyer who works closely with HR teams, it is important for me to keep up with policy updates. For example, is a work-authorization extension allowed for 180 days or 540 days? USCIS recently made such changes that required many HR teams to confirm how they must comply with their internal paperwork. My approach has been to help HR teams as these issues arise in their daily lives to ensure they don’t have to lose time searching for the requirements.
Tahmina Watson
Immigration Attorney, Watson Immigration Law
Implement Proactive Training and Communication
Keeping up with changing labor laws is crucial for maintaining a smooth and compliant practice. One approach I’ve found effective is implementing a proactive training and communication program for the entire team. We regularly update our employee handbook and conduct training sessions to ensure everyone understands the latest regulations. This approach not only keeps our staff informed but also fosters a culture of transparency and responsibility.
Additionally, we use a robust HR software system that tracks compliance requirements and deadlines, helping us stay ahead of any potential issues. Regular check-ins and open channels of communication allow staff to voice concerns or seek clarification, preventing misunderstandings.
By integrating these practices, we maintain a stable working environment that adheres to legal standards without disrupting daily operations. This proactive strategy ensures that our team remains focused on providing excellent care to our patients.
Dr. Hesham El-Akbawy
Veterinarian, Lincoln Avenue Cat and Dog Hospital
Invest in Compliance Experts
We’re a nationwide company, and we strive to maintain a tight operating budget at the administrative level so we can invest more money into expensive labor and capital resources. One area where we’ve learned that we still need to invest is in legal compliance.
Operating in so many markets means that we’re dealing with hundreds of different combinations of labor laws, licensing laws, environmental regulations, etc. We have on-staff experts in compliance for each major market we operate in, and their job is to make sure they know the law, make sure we’re complying with it, and help us anticipate upcoming changes to labor laws.
Nick Valentino
VP of Market Operations, Bellhop
Regularly Review and Update Policies
To ensure compliance with evolving labor laws, it is essential to regularly review and update your policies and procedures. This requires staying informed about new or revised regulations that could impact your business and making the necessary adjustments to your company policies.
By reviewing and updating policies on a consistent basis, you can ensure that your business is following the most current regulations. This also helps to avoid any potential legal issues that could arise from non-compliance.
Additionally, it is important to communicate these updates to your employees through training sessions or by providing them with updated copies of company policies. This will help to ensure that everyone in the organization is aware of any changes and is following the correct procedures.
Evan Tunis
President, Florida Healthcare Insurance
Utilize Compliance Publications and Tools
I subscribe to a number of compliance publications and use tools that automate policy updates as laws change. With these publications and tools, I only need to take a few minutes out of my day to append any recommended changes to the employee handbook. Similarly, if a legal update impacts an HR process versus a policy, it only takes a few minutes to update the procedure and record a brief video explaining the changes to the team.
Susan Snipes
Head of People, Remote People
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