Blog Post: Not if, but WHEN!

A business owner today reminded me that HR "issues" are not a matter of IF, but WHEN.  He has a company with 6-8 employees and growing here in Phoenix.  In 4 years of operating, they have only had a couple "scares" when it comes to employee issues, lawsuits, etc.  However, he was very clear in stating that the more they grow, and the more creative disgruntled employees become (and their attorneys), the more potential for an HR technicality driving them out of business.  I don't know about you, but when I hear that, I feel empathy for the small business owner.  You work all this time and invest your soul into a business, only to have an employee (who never cared about the company anyway) take it all away with one ridiculous complaint. 

Don't get me wrong, the laws protect us from bad employers who mistreat people, and that's good.  But how many rules do we need to have in order to ensure that doesn't happen?  50, 120, 500?  It seems unfair.

Either way, one thing is true…every company, large or small, should be creating the right environment for employees to work in, which includes understanding what's expected, clear policies, career paths, mutual respect etc., which will reduce the likelihood of an issue coming up.  They also need to make sure all those "i"s are dotted and "t"s are crossed, somehow.  Good luck small business owner!