There are many things you need to protect your business from, but one thing that you hope not to have to deal with is dishonest employees. While many employees simply want to do their jobs well, there is always a risk of unscrupulous employees who want to take advantage of your business. There are also risks from employees who might not mean any harm but who can accidentally cause problems with the mistakes that they make. So how can you prevent these issues from happening and protect your business from your employees?
You can take steps at various stages, from the moment you hire someone new to the moment they leave. Some of the things you do can be active steps to protect your company, while others can help in slightly less direct ways.
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Hire the Right People
If you want to protect your business from your employees, you need to start from the beginning. The hiring process can be long and complicated, but it's worth going through the steps properly if you want to prevent any problems later. Hiring people who are a good fit for your company and who you can trust is essential. You need to thoroughly assess each candidate to make sure they're right for the role. Contacting references and carrying out background checks are just two of the things that you should do if you want to protect your company.
Create Solid Contracts
Creating contracts for your employees makes it clear what they are agreeing to do for you and what you agree to do for them. It can outline some of the most important terms of their employment, including their working hours and pay. At this point, it's also crucial to be familiar with the laws in your state. Speak to a legal expert about what you can and can't do. One of the most important questions to ask is are non-competes enforceable? A non-compete clause can be ideal for protecting your business when an employee leaves. But they're not valid everywhere, so you need to check.
Keep Up with Training
Employee training is a must if you want to create employees who are productive and who feel they receive opportunities for development. It also helps to prevent problems from occurring due to mistakes employees make, and it ensures your staff knows what's expected of them. One area of training to consider is cybersecurity, especially for any workplace that's office-based. An employee making a mistake such as opening a malicious email could cause big problems for your business. Training in health and safety is another option you might need to consider to protect your company.
Put the Right Procedures in Place
Every workplace requires the right procedures to keep things running smoothly. If you want to prevent your employees from doing anything they shouldn't do, these processes and procedures are essential. For example, you might need to have certain expectations for how finances are handled. Requiring two people to be present when cash registers are counted up at the end of the day could help to prevent theft, for example. An employee handbook can explain some of the key procedures that employees are expected to follow.
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Treat Your Employees Well
Of course, one of the main ways you can make sure your business is safe from your employees is by treating them well. You're much less likely to have to deal with disgruntled employees if you give your employees the treatment that they deserve. This could include many different things, from paying a competitive wage to dealing with any employee problems as quickly and effectively as you can. Treating your employees well also helps to attract the right talent, which is another way you can reduce the likelihood of problems from your employees.
Have an Exit Process
When an employee leaves, whether voluntarily or not, there can be a potential for problems. If they weren't happy while working for you, this potential increases. That's why it's vital to have an exit process that helps to prevent any issues. For example, you might make sure that any digital access an employee has is revoked before they leave the building or end their last day. This can prevent any sabotage or problems resulting from bitter employees. An exit interview can also help you to determine how to improve things for your employees in the future.
Employees can occasionally create problems for your business if you're not careful. But there are steps you can take to prevent them from causing any damage.
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