EMPLOYER'S CORNER: Resolutions for employers

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to set your new year's resolutions for your business and specifically your human resources department. A new year is a great time to assess your strengths from the previous year and opportunities for improvement.

Here are three resolutions that might be helpful for your business:

First, check your record keeping. It sounds a little dull, but ensuring you are maintaining records and that records are easily accessible is one of the most important tasks an HR manager performs. Why? Records are what support an employer's version of events -- whether that be discipline, payroll or some other circumstance. Often when you need records you need them quickly, and you don't have time to hunt about to locate them.

For example, should you be investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, you want to have your time sheets on hand. Employers should ensure they are maintaining records for an adequate length of time. We generally recommend, for example, personnel records are kept for a minimum of four years.

Second, ensure your policies are up to date. Whether it is that your policies have not been legally reviewed in some time or whether the practices and nature of your business have changed, update your policies to ensure compliance.

The new year is also a great time to refresh these policies with your employees and remind them of procedures, such as reporting harassment or other issues. This includes your forms as well. Many employers have forms, such as applications, that they have been using for years but which may now be obsolete for many reasons. A fresh year is a great time to be sure all forms have been reviewed and updated.

Third, keep your eyes and ears open for changes in the law. There are several impending changes on the horizon that could affect employers. For example, there is currently significant discussion regarding an increase in the minimum wage. We also are expecting to receive the revised regulations regarding employees who are exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act this year.

These are just a couple of the changes we are aware of on the horizon. Employers should keep an eye on these changes and remain flexible to adjust as circumstances change.

Should you need any assistance with these or any other employment law related questions, contact an experienced employment law attorney.

Sarah Phaff is an employment law attorney in Atlanta and Macon at the national labor and employment law firm of Constangy, Brooks & Smith LLP.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 6:41 PM with the headline "EMPLOYER'S CORNER: Resolutions for employers ."