During her recent US Open final, tennis ace Serena Williams lost her cool in spectacular fashion when penalised for code violations.
Serena, who lost the match to rising star Naomi Osaka, was sure her conduct was correct but her outbursts resulted in a $17,000 fine.
That’s why knowing where you stand in the workplace is so essential. And that’s why we bring you our top tips for workplace happiness – guidance that can help you and your role in HR.
Show all HR/Training/Recruitment jobs across Scotland
Check out the contract
A legally binding contract, agreed by both employee and employer, offers peace of mind and protection should grievances arise.
It’s also worth reading the fine print, as there are often caveats or grey areas that can lead to confusion or calamity if overlooked or ignored.
The HR department is usually responsible for drafting contracts and ensuring everything is tickety boo but some new employees have theirs independently checked.
Keep abreast of developments
Often employees are tempted to ignore or simply miss those internal HR emails that sneak into inboxes or hide in spam folders. But they could contain something critical, such as a change to company policy.
Effective communication is at the heart of good HR, so always be aware of the importance of emails, newsletters or circulars.
Know who to turn to
If things go awry in the workplace, it can often feel overpowering – especially if you’ve no idea who to turn to.
The HR department should always be thought of as the go-to place, if you have queries or concerns about your rights.
Key staff members such as HR assistants and HR Managers have the power and knowledge to help in times of trouble.
Don’t be afraid to speak up
Too often we grumble and mumble about workplace issues or a lack of rights without actually doing anything about them.
While we’re not suggesting throwing a full-on temper tantrum in the style of Serena, calmly and reasonably raising legitimate grievances with the HR department or a line manager can make a world of difference.
The world of work and workers’ rights can be tricky to navigate – thankfully, that’s what HR heroes are here for.
If you’re looking for a rewarding role in this field, why not check out all of the latest HR, Training and Recruitment vacancies on s1jobs now?