Concise and effective communication is essential for management and directors to manage HR and IR compliance and make the right decision, advises industry consultant Warren Tapp explains
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HR and IR checklist for Boards
Every Board should oversee compliance with all HR and IR matters and ask the CEO to provide reports on compliance with all legislation. Check these:
- Be current with all HR and IR changes at law
- Ensure wage theft prevention
- Understand Enterprise Agreements (if any)
- Psychosocial hazards and staff mental health
- Understand director legal positive duties owed to employees
- Procedural fairness and employee management
- Essential record keeping for HR and IR
- Procedures to manage staff claims and disputes
- Build a culture of HR/IR compliance
Compliance is not just about avoiding penalties; it is about building a business that can attract and retain good staff. Directors should stay informed, be proactive and create a workplace where compliance is second nature.
Executive Summaries for Boards
Effective corporate governance relies on clear communication and informed decision-making. A concise executive summary from management plays a crucial role in facilitating such effectiveness. This is a condensed version of all the Board reports, extracting key issues and insights, with recommendations for a decision. Consider this:
What information is essential for the Board to know?
Why do the directors need to know it?
What does the Board need to do about it?
Of course, it does not replace the need for full Board reports, it is just to highlight the key issues needing decision. The Board and management should discuss the concept of executive summaries to use and agree on the format for better Board effectiveness.
Warren Tapp
