First HR in the Company: How Do I Tackle Policy Compliance and Employee Indiscipline?

Challenges of Being the First HR in the Company

In my company, I am the first HR person. They are not accustomed to this role and the responsibilities of HR. I need your help in implementing policies and addressing other topics.

Issues with Policy Compliance

1. Nobody follows policy rules, even when I make decisions with my directors.

Addressing Employee Indiscipline

2. Many times, I circulate notices about late arrivals and early departures, but everyone has their own excuses. Please help me create a general policy and address the issue of employee indiscipline.

Managing Leave Requests

3. Employees often request leaves on the same day by sending messages in the office WhatsApp group. My directors have criticized me for this, but no one cooperates. Please advise me on how to handle this situation.

Please suggest solutions.

Steps to Implementing Effective HR Policies

First, get familiar with the office, departments, and people working there. All instances of indiscipline can be noted down and discussed with the Directors or HR head, and then their support enlisted. Directors, MD, or CEO have to be on board to ensure a change from old habits. Frame a policy in accordance with company needs and labor laws applicable to your setup. Upon approval from top management, inform the HoDs through the HR boss to let the environment know about the policy. Violations can be brought to the notice of the HoD. They can then decide whether late coming or early departure is affecting discipline, production, or output. As an HR professional, you cannot singlehandedly control all these events.