Not-for-profit organizations operate in a variety of business models. Smaller organizations may have only one employee, a few employees or even no employees! Regardless of the number of employees, an organization should have human resource processes in place to support the organization’s compliance with reporting and legal requirements, and to ensure that activities are consistently applied to all employees.
Some areas to consider:
- Human resource policies, approved by the Board, ensure that there are clear, documented processes in place. The extent of these policies would be determined by the nature and size of the organization. Documentation of processes ensures that the organization and employees have a common understanding of expectations.
- Strong hiring practices ensure that you choose the best candidate for a position. Focused interview questions, checking references and requesting a criminal record check (if necessary) will inform your hiring decision. Using a probation period is helpful to determine if the person will be a long-term fit for your organization.
- Evaluate performance on a regular basis (at least annually) to ensure the employee is meeting your expectations and that you are providing relevant feedback.
- Research applicable provincial legislation and Canada Revenue Agency requirements to ensure that your policies and procedures fully comply.
Unfortunately, issues may arise that require formal intervention or perhaps the termination of an employee. When these circumstances occur, obtaining legal and professional advice is prudent to ensure that actions taken are appropriate and that the organization’s interests are protected.
