--- title: 7 Best Practices for Maximizing Your HR Department description: Competition is stiff, for hiring and retaining current team members. Here are some best practices to help you get the most out of your HR efforts. image: https://www.mcclone.com/hubfs/McClone%20Blog%20Graphics%20copy%202.png --- [Skip to main content](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/7-best-practices-for-maximizing-your-hr-department#maincontent) [ Client Portal & Resources ](https://www.mcclone.com/client-resources) [ Report a Claim ](https://www.mcclone.com/report-a-claim) [![mcclone-logo-color](https://www.mcclone.com/hubfs/assets/logos/mcclone-logo-color.svg) ![](https://www.mcclone.com/hubfs/assets/logos/mcclone-logo-color.svg) ](https://www.mcclone.com) Services - [Business Insurance](https://www.mcclone.com/business-insurance) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.mcclone.com/employee-benefits) - [Personal Insurance](https://www.mcclone.com/personal-insurance) - [HR Outsourcing](https://www.mcclone.com/human-resources) - [Retirement Plans](https://www.mcclone.com/retirement-plans) [ Pricing ](https://www.mcclone.com/pricing) [ Learning Center ](https://www.mcclone.com/learning-center) Company - [About Us](https://www.mcclone.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.mcclone.com/careers) - [Locations](https://www.mcclone.com/all-locations) - [Contact Info](https://www.mcclone.com/contact-us) Open Search [ Start a Conversation ](https://www.mcclone.com/start-a-conversation) Search for topics or resources Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon. Close Search Services Services [ Business Insurance ](https://www.mcclone.com/business-insurance) [ Employee Benefits ](https://www.mcclone.com/employee-benefits) [ Personal Insurance ](https://www.mcclone.com/personal-insurance) [ HR Outsourcing ](https://www.mcclone.com/human-resources) [ Retirement Plans ](https://www.mcclone.com/retirement-plans) [ Pricing ](https://www.mcclone.com/pricing) [ Learning Center ](https://www.mcclone.com/learning-center) Company Company [ About Us ](https://www.mcclone.com/about-us) [ Careers ](https://www.mcclone.com/careers) [ Locations ](https://www.mcclone.com/all-locations) [ Contact Info ](https://www.mcclone.com/contact-us) [ Client Portal & Resources ](https://www.mcclone.com/client-resources) [ Report a Claim ](https://www.mcclone.com/report-a-claim) [ Start a Conversation ](https://www.mcclone.com/start-a-conversation) # 7 Best Practices for Maximizing Your HR Department September 20th, 2023 4 min. read By [Brad DeLeeuw, Business Development Executive](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/author/brad-deleeuw) ![Business meeting.](https://www.mcclone.com/hs-fs/hubfs/McClone%20Blog%20Graphics%20copy%202.png?width=2240&height=1260&name=McClone%20Blog%20Graphics%20copy%202.png) The imperative of retaining and recruiting effective and trusted employees remains a top concern for business leaders today and with good reason. Some projections indicate that voluntary turnover could jump by as much as 20% over pre-pandemic levels. The continuing tight labor market means that competition is stiff, both for hiring as well as retaining current team members. In order to compete in this market, businesses need a highly skilled and attentive HR department. Whether you have an HR department of one, a staff of many, or even if someone has simply taken on the HR responsibilities in addition to a different full-time role, here are some best practices that can help you get the most out of your HR efforts.  ## HR Best Practices for Attracting and Retaining Talent **1. Review Compensation and Benefits** ### 1. Review Compensation and Benefits Benchmarking with others in your region and industry isn’t always an easy task, but keeping a pulse on the salaries and perks that your competitors offer is a strategic and crucial part of attracting talent as well as keeping your existing employees happy.  Increasingly, benefit packages weigh heavier on a person’s decision to accept a position and these days [good health insurance](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/best-practices-for-offering-health-benefits-and-lowering-premiums) and [competitive retirement packages](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/what-employers-need-to-know-about-401k-fees-benchmarking) are table-stakes. Companies are raising the bar on benefits like PTO, work from home, professional development, meals, and other perks. While platinum-level benefits aren’t always feasible for smaller businesses on tight budgets, there  are [ways to get creative](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/creative-ideas-for-offering-competitive-benefits) that can set you apart from others in your industry.  ### 2. Communicate and Foster a Strong Workplace Culture **2. Communicate and Foster a Strong Culture** Employees can be selective about their options in this market and they are often choosing culture over other factors. There is a greater awareness of the role that culture can have on happiness, job satisfaction, well-being, and stress reduction. When recruiting, it’s crucial to clearly communicate the values, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences that define your organization. Of greater importance is that those characteristics are authentically lived out among every employee. It’s one thing to talk about a good culture and another to actually have one. Instilling a sense of purpose and a cohesive atmosphere, empowering employees, and creating work/life balance is just the start. [Creating an engaging culture](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/why-employee-engagement-matters-for-small-and-mid-sized-businesses) won’t happen overnight, but it definitely *needs* to happen if you want to maximize your HR efforts and maintain a strong and dedicated workforce.  ### 3. Develop and Promote Talent from Within **3. Develop Talent from Within** Companies that struggle to find skilled labor often overlook the potential inside their own walls. Developing talent from within can help fill difficult positions and increase retention efforts. Target employees who have leadership potential and give them a vision for how they can contribute to the company and boost their personal and professional goals.  Provide mentors, career coaches, and training opportunities to learn new skills, including paying for relevant classes and certifications. Help your team build their professional networks and develop soft skills to improve their communication and social interactions. Share your company’s personal and professional development initiatives with candidates as well, which can be a key aspect when considering a new career with your company.  ### 4. Implement Comprehensive Employee Wellness Initiatives As someone who oversees HR functions, don’t forget to focus on your own career. Consider how you can improve your HR skills and look for ways to [leverage the expertise of others](https://www.mcclone.com/human-resources) who can enhance your efforts.  **4. Implement Wellness Initiatives** Wellness programs that give your employees access to both physical, financial, and mental/emotional wellness supports are no longer a “nice-to-have” but a “must-have.” It’s meaningful for them and it makes good sense for you. Wellness plays a critical role in the financial health of your organization. Healthcare costs continue to rise, and implementing a holistic wellness program is a [strategic approach to mitigating the risk of escalating ](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/employee-wellness-tips-for-reducing-healthcare-costs)costs.  Promoting wellness initiatives to potential recruits communicates once again that you care about their personal well-being in addition to their professional performance, and it can be a deciding factor for those weighing their options between you and another employer.  ### 5. Ensure Ongoing HR Compliance **5. Ensure Compliance** Compliance with multiple regulations for employers can feel like a full-time job itself. Potential changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), updates for OSHA reporting, [determining the exemption status](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/what-every-business-needs-to-know-about-flsa-rules) of employees, knowing [your state’s rules for workers’ compensation](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/is-workers-compensation-the-same-in-every-state), and more, can overwhelm even the most seasoned HR professionals.  While compliance may seem like a back-office function at first glance, it plays a major role in recruiting and retaining employees. Know what [questions you should and shouldn’t ask during interviews](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/questions-employers-should-never-ask-during-job-interviews), respond to employee requests for information in a timely manner, maintain accurate and secure employee records, handle concerns and harassment claims properly, and follow best practices for [maintaining an employee handbook](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/employee-handbook-best-practices). When employees and recruits see a commitment to compliance, they feel more confident knowing they will be treated fairly and that any concerns will be taken seriously. ### 6. Embrace HR Technology and Workforce Analytics **6. Embrace Technology and Analytics** In the age of AI, companies need to demonstrate that they are aware of and embracing new technologies in a forward-thinking but responsible way. Technologies like advanced AI may even require new internal policies guiding its use in the office. Many new technologies can drive efficiency across departments and automate many tedious or repetitive tasks allowing HR leaders to focus on the more rewarding aspects of their job. HR departments use software to manage payroll, but those platforms are often inadequate for managing tax forms, employee records, OSHA logs, and other information. A robust Human Capital Management system automates many functions and integrates with payroll. It also provides a secure portal where employees can manage personal data, records, and other confidential information.  ### 7. Align HR Efforts with Organizational Strategy **7. Understand Your Organization’s Strategic Goals** Today’s HR professionals are responsible for more than employees; they also need to understand and help drive the strategic direction and economic environment of an organization. By becoming more financially fluent and knowing what makes your organization successful, your HR department can anticipate necessary workforce changes that may be required and implement an action plan to meet your company’s needs.  ## Strengthening HR Practices for Long-Term Success The responsibilities of today’s HR professionals and their role in maintaining a happy and healthy workforce can’t be summarized in a single article. Be sure to access our ***HR Best Practices Checklist ***below for more ideas and reach out to our [team](https://www.mcclone.com/start-a-conversation) with questions or to discuss ways to enhance your efforts even further. [![Human Resources Best Practices CTA2](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3851480/30b125d1-223b-46c3-8f53-ff1c1338d8af.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3851480/30b125d1-223b-46c3-8f53-ff1c1338d8af) [ Brad DeLeeuw, Business Development Executive ](https://www.mcclone.com/blog/author/brad-deleeuw) Brad joined McClone in 2020 after spending 14 years serving as both in-house human resources manager, benefits administrator, human resources analyst and human resources consultant at various organizations. This experience gives him a real-world understanding of the issues organizations face and the types of solutions they are seeking. The combination of his prior experience combined with his time at McClone have given Brad an expertise in commercial insurance, property/casualty insurance, risk management and employee benefits. He currently leads a team of 5 business development executives at McClone. As a business development executive, Brad’s role is to ensure a seamless transition for McClone clients as they onboard to their account team, risk management professionals and industry and subject matter experts. He also serves as an ongoing point-of-contact for clients as needed. Brad earned a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. In his free time Brad likes to spend time with his family traveling, golfing, and doing other outdoor activities in the summer and fall. He has coached middle school basketball for 7 years and enjoys developing the kids for high school competition. He also makes an attempt each year to complete 2 half marathons. 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