Three goals to help employers get 2010 off to a great start!

MONTREAL , Jan. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - As our economy recovers, the year ahead holds some sizeable challenges for managing human resources. The Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés suggests the following three resolutions for employers who want to stand out from the crowd and more effectively meet the challenges in store in 2010.

Restore employee confidence

The economic upheaval has led to major changes at a number of organizations, making workers anxious. In the year to come, employees could still be worried about keeping their jobs and adapting to the changes they have experienced. According to the Ordre's internal survey of members conducted in December, these are key employee concerns, which means that companies need to be transparent and regularly provide information about their true situation and plans.

"By improving internal communications, employers will be better able to restore employee confidence and respond to the drop in motivation and commitment that could result from the crisis," noted Florent Francoeur, CHRP, Ordre president and CEO.

Become a better employer by making HR practices more effective

To manage the impact of the crisis, companies must ensure optimal use of their human resources to recover or maintain their competitive capability. Here, it is essential to review human resources management practices respecting wages and benefits, internal policies, work climate, occupational health and safety, and employee motivation. Employers should also not hesitate to ask employees' opinion on these issues to make sure that this approach takes their needs into account.

Move quickly to institute pay equity

Due to the recent changes to the law, thousands of Quebec businesses will be taking action in the next year to achieve or maintain pay equity. They should start the process as soon as possible to minimize costs; where required, wage adjustments are retroactive, and are subject to interest and, eventually, penalties.

"In addition to these legal considerations, pay equity is advantageous for both organizations and workers. Not only does the law have beneficial structuring impacts on companies' compensation practices, but a company's reputation and overall work climate also improve once pay equity has been instituted," concluded Francoeur.

About the Ordre

The Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés is the primary reference organization in its field in Quebec . It has a membership of close to 9,500 professionals, candidates and students, including 5,000 CHRPs and 2,500 CIRCs. It is the only organization devoted to the protection of the public authorized by the Professional Code to confer these professional designations.

Active in all sectors, CHRPs and CIRCS contribute to the development and maintenance of a healthy working atmosphere and a safe, efficient organizational environment that respects the uniqueness of each and every employee. They also represent employers and employees in various areas of HR management, from industrial relations, to staffing, training, occupational health and safety, organizational development and compensation.

For further information: Caroline Soulas, Communications coordinator, [phone], ext. 224, Cell phone: [phone], [email protected]