18 Dec 2024
Preparing your HR team for success
As the holiday season gets underway, our thoughts turn to the new year, and a fresh start. HR professionals should use December not only to close out the year but to lay the groundwork for a successful 2025. From updating employee records to setting strategic goals, there are several key areas that deserve your attention.
Consider these suggestions on how to prepare your HR team for the new year.
Update Employee Records
The new year is an ideal time to ensure all employee records are up to date. This includes updating addresses, emergency contact details, NI numbers, and pension information. An accurate and current employee database will save time and avoid issues down the line, at the tax year end for example.
Review and Update HR Policies
HR policies should reflect current business operations and compliance requirements. Use this time to review existing policies, such as those around leave, flexible working, and employee conduct, and ensure they are in line with recent legislative changes. For example, with increasing demand for remote work, now might be the right time to formalise a remote working policy if your organisation does not already have one.
Set Strategic HR Goals for 2025
December is a great time to reflect on the year’s successes and challenges and set strategic HR goals for the year ahead. Whether you are looking to improve employee engagement, streamline recruitment processes, or invest in learning and development programmes, having clear, measurable goals will help your HR team focus on the initiatives that matter most.
Review Employee Benefits and Wellbeing Plans
The new year offers an opportunity to review your employee benefits and wellbeing programmes. Are they meeting the needs of your workforce? Are there additional benefits that could help to attract and retain talent? Evaluating your benefit plans now will allow you to make necessary adjustments and ensure they align with your broader HR strategy.
Implement or Upgrade HR Technology
Is your HR technology helping you achieve your goals, or is it holding you back? December is the perfect time to assess whether your current HR systems are working for you. If your organisation is considering upgrading or implementing new HR software, now is the time to research options, prepare a budget, and plan for implementation in the new year.
December may be a time for winding down, but for HR professionals, it is also the perfect time to set your team up for success in the year ahead. By taking the opportunity to support employee wellbeing during the festive season, you will foster a more engaged and motivated workforce. At the same time, proactive planning and goalsetting will ensure your HR team is ready to hit the ground running in 2025.
The Christmas and New Year period presents a challenge for every business, and for HR it requires a delicate balance between immediate employee support and long-term strategic planning. However, by taking a structured approach and leveraging the right tools and strategies, you can not only manage the year end, but also build a strong foundation for the year to come.
As you head into the holiday break, remember that with a little preparation now, your HR team will be well positioned to take on 2025 with confidence and clarity.
Happy holidays and here is to a successful new year!
Article originally published on HR Grapevine December 2024.