[INVITE] AI x HR Conference

In today’s edition

• All About AI in HR: Join Us for The Conference!

• HR from Scratch

• AI in HR: Your Voice Counts!

• Find Your HR Tribe

• Today’s HR Reads for You 📚️

All About AI in HR: Join Us for The Conference!

Be part of a groundbreaking event focused on AI in HR - The Shape of Work: AI x HR Playbook 2024 | August Edition.

What to Expect:

✅ Cutting-Edge AI: Discover AI applications in HR

✅ Industry Leaders: Learn from top experts in the field

✅ Future-Proofing: Prepare your HR practices for the future

HR from Scratch

Today, Aug 5th, happens to be “Start-Up Day”, a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. While it's a time to recognize the founders and visionaries, let's also shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes behind the scenes: the HR professionals tasked with building the people function from scratch. 💪

Does a Startup Even Need HR? 🤔

Yes, yes they do. There is no question about it. I have worked at a startup where they “didn’t believe in HR” like it’s some mystical creature 🙂 (you can’t make this stuff up!).

Let’s introduce Alex, who just joined a rapidly growing startup as their very first HR professional. On their first day, the excitement is palpable, but so is the chaos.

Being the first HR person at a newly established startup is both exhilarating and daunting. You’re tasked with building the HR function from the ground up, most likely with limited resources and support. 🙄

Here’s how Alex handled this journey:

✅ Understanding Goals for the HR/People Department
On Alex's first day, the CEO sat down with them to discuss expectations. It became clear that the goals for the HR department were to create a positive work environment, manage recruitment, and ensure compliance with laws. Alex knew their budget was tight, so they decided to outsource tasks like payroll to manage costs effectively. 💰

✅ Seeking Support from HR Peers
Alex knew they couldn’t do it all alone. They connected with HR peers on Linkedin and online HR communities to set up simple virtual coffee chats. These interactions provided incredibly valuable insights and support, helping Alex navigate the complexities of building an HR department from scratch. There are a lot of folks who are willing to help out - you just need to ask!

✅ Legal and Compliance
Alex’s first major task was to ensure the startup complied with all necessary laws. They implemented policies and processes required by local, state, and federal laws. Alex regularly checked resources like the Department of Labor to stay updated on labor laws and ensure the company remained compliant. ✔️

✅ HR Fundamentals 📑
Next, Alex focused on establishing a few of the basics:

• Drafting employee contracts

• Creating a code of conduct

• Setting up a leave policy

• Implementing a health and workplace safety policy

✅ Defining Culture and Setting Values
One of Alex’s priorities was defining the company culture, and they turned to EngageWith to help achieve this. EngageWith is a tool that helps build a culture of recognition, keeping employees motivated. By tagging company values every time recognitions were given, Alex ensured that the entire team aligned with the company’s values and business goals. 🎯

Recognizing and rewarding employees through EngageWith became a key strategy for Alex. By tying recognitions to company values, Alex reinforced a people-first culture, ensuring that the startup truly practiced what it preached. Establishing this foundation was crucial, knowing that the culture would evolve as the company grew. 🏢

✅ Using AI to Automate Repetitive Tasks
Alex leveraged Albus, an AI co-pilot, to handle repetitive administrative tasks. With Albus, employees spent less time hunting for information, significantly increasing their productivity and eliminating the dependency on others. ❌

Albus is also able to answer common employee questions which saves Alex a significant amount of time. This allowed them to focus on more strategic planning and high-level HR responsibilities, ultimately benefiting the entire organization. 🤖

✅ Setting Up A Simple Feedback System
To create an effective feedback system, Alex leveraged the suggestion box feature of EngageWith. This tool provided a user-friendly platform for employees to anonymously submit their suggestions to HR or leadership. Additionally, it enabled pulse checks, allowing Alex to monitor employee well-being and address challenges before they escalated into bigger issues. ➕

✅ Don’t Forget Benefits!
Alex also made sure to set up both voluntary and mandatory benefits. They included medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement accounts like a 401K. They also ensured compliance with state-mandated benefits such as workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. ▶️ Check out Forbes’ complete guide for additional information. 

✅ Slowly Building the HR Tech Stack
Recognizing that one HR employee was not sustainable in the long run, Alex began building an HR tech stack. 📚 They started with basic tools for recruitment and onboarding and planned to add more as the company grew. They also advocated for hiring additional HR staff to manage various aspects like engagement, performance management, and diversity initiatives.

Remember, Alex’s journey teaches us that you can’t do it all at once. Building an HR department from scratch in a startup environment is challenging but incredibly rewarding. By focusing on these strategies, you can create a strong foundation for your HR function and contribute significantly to your company’s success. 🚀

(source)

AI in HR: Your Voice Counts!

Help us understand the impact of AI in HR by participating in our survey.

➡️Your feedback will shape a comprehensive report. Complete the survey for early access to the report and a chance to win a $50 Amazon voucher! 🎁

Find Your HR Tribe

Looking to connect with like-minded HR professionals? Join the AI x HR Community today! Engage in insightful conversations, share best practices, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of HR. Your tribe is waiting! 🤝

Today’s HR Reads for You 📚️

1. 🙇 Employee Benefits: Employees want more from their companies' bereavement policies

2. 🤖 On AI: Microsoft’s AI Assistants Will Revolutionize the Office

3. 🧑‍💼 Working in the world’s happiest country:28-year-old who left the U.S. for Finland

That’s a wrap for today!

Got any additional feedback for me? Let me know! 👇️