It’s not hard to spot. You might see a Kangaroo led sleigh or Santa hitting the surf. You’ve put up your Christmas tree, hung your stocking and the prawns are on ice. That’s right… it’s almost time for Christmas here in Australia.
What does this have to do with HR? Well, this means that retailers are putting on the final bells and whistles to brace for the holiday retail rush. One task that should be at the top of every retailer’s to-do list is to get their HR matters straightened out and sorted before peak season really hits.
Here’s a bit of a checklist we’ve put together to make sure that you are HR ready for the holiday period:
Do a Final Headcount
Hopefully, you’ve read our previous blog about hiring the right staff for the Christmas retail rush here and you are all ready to go. If so, do a final headcount of your staff and make final adjustments to your Christmas rosters. Make sure to account for any illnesses, injuries or unexpected leave that employees might take.
If you haven’t sorted your Christmas staff, it’s definitely a priority to check your leave planner and organise your Christmas rosters. It’s a good idea to check with staff if they are going to be taking any annual leave so you won’t be left understaffed over the busy period.
Public Holidays
If you are open over public holidays—as most retailers are—you need to make sure you are across all of the restrictions that come with trading on these days.
It can be helpful to ask your staff who wants to work on various public holidays. While some staff would prefer to spend them with their families, other staff may rather the extra cash. In an ideal world, you may be able to create a roster that leaves everyone feeling cheery.
Safety First
With all the additional trading hours and many staff working longer than usual it is a demanding period for your employees. Over the holidays, it’s important to make sure that safety isn’t overlooked and shortcuts don’t get taken.
Across the retail industry, employers have reported an increase in workplace injuries over the holiday period. This is because staff are working longer hours while also participating in more social activities and events. With tired and rundown staff comes less concentration and more accidents. Not to mention that temporary staff are often being employed without proper training.
To avoid this make sure that all new staff have a proper safety induction and watch out for signs of fatigue. Make sure that staff are taking their breaks and reporting any injuries no matter how busy it gets.
Make Sure Silly Season Doesn’t Get Too Silly
Christmas parties. An employee’s dream and HR’s nightmare. To have one? Not to have one? Who pays? How do you manage one?
Christmas parties can be lots of fun and a great bonding/team building event. However, with a few extra drinks than usual can bring some additional HR issues. Remind staff that workplace policies still apply no matter where the party is held and consider sending out a reminder email in the lead-up.
The Year to Come
As this year is coming to a close, make sure to think about your employees for the year to come. Do you need to hire more talent? If so, now is the time to prepare.
If you’re looking for help with your hiring we can help – contact us here! Good luck and happy recruiting!
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