When was the last time you updated your employee handbook?
We get it. HR isn’t always top of mind when you’re consumed with running a modern machine shop. Still, shop owners should avoid sweeping this critical aspect of their business under the rug.
The start of the year is the perfect time to prioritize HR goals. Whether you’re conducting an annual review of your employee handbook or have COVID-19 specific questions, NTMA has the right connections to help you navigate the complex world of human resources.
Why HR Matters at Modern Machine Shops
First, let’s take a look at some of the areas of your business where HR can play a significant role:
- Employee retention. It’s no secret that modern machine shops everywhere are struggling to find and retain good talent. To keep skilled employees happy, you’ll need a comprehensive employee handbook that they view as fair and reasonable. A handbook ensures that shops and employees are on the same page regarding policies and expectations critical to the function of the business.
- Cybersecurity. Ransomware attacks are on the rise and can compromise the health of any modern machine shop. Shops need to be proactive about cybersecurity, including documenting policies like two-factor authentication, email flagging, and cloud access clearly in an employee handbook. Cybersecurity protocols can also set shops apart from competitors and give customers peace of mind that their confidential information will remain safe.
- COVID-19 protocols. The pandemic is an ever-evolving challenge that continues to affect how modern machine shops conduct business. Documenting COVID-19 protocols in writing helps minimize stress and confusion during this unprecedented time, establishing clear procedures for employee, customer, and vendor interactions.
NTMA Provides Access to Legal Counseling in Key Areas of Labor Relations
If you could use support with HR initiatives at your modern machine shop, NTMA is here to help.
We provide members with legal counseling in all key areas of labor relations through our affinity partner, McMahon Berger.
Members get one free hour of legal counsel each month, where they can discuss issues like employee termination, handbook review, COVID-19 related questions, ADA compliance, and more. Where appropriate, we’ll refer members to NTMA’s labor relations counsel, one of the country’s largest and most experienced law firms.
At NTMA, we understand that you may have limited HR resources. But we also know that good HR is paramount to your success as a modern machine shop. Join NTMA today to get access to free legal counseling and a host of other helpful tools for running your business.