New to HR? How Do I Build an HR Department from Scratch for a Growing Start-Up?

Dear All,

I've been recently hired by a start-up company that deals in automated WEEE processing. Although the team is small at present, it is going to expand a lot in the next couple of months. They expect me to lay down HR Policies and set up an HR Department for the company. Since I have very little (you can say negligible) exposure to the HR world, I need help from you guys on how to go about it from scratch.

Dos and Don'ts list.

Even the smallest details, I don't want to miss.

Kindly guide me.

Regards,
Pallavi Gupta

Hi Pallavi,

First of all, you need to create an HR Manual for your company. In this manual, you should start with the rules and policies of your company. Make sure to include the vision and mission statement in your HR Manual.

1. Create an employee's file for each and every employee, including details such as their residential address, date of birth, phone number, references, etc.
2. Specify the dress code for employees and outline the working hours.
3. Define the company's leave policy.
4. Include information on insurance benefits and medical benefits.
5. Outline the salary structure.
6. Detail the performance appraisal process.
7. Provide induction for new employees when they join your organization; it will be helpful to them.
8. Plan for employee training.
9. Describe the company culture.
10. Explain the procedures for Provident Fund (PF) and Professional Tax (PT).

Dipali

Dear Pallog80,

Please find attached the process to set up an HR Department in a startup company.

Katyana

Hi Pallavi,

Please also send it to me. Regards,
Sonali
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First, you need to create an HR Manual for your company. In this manual, you should start with the rules and policies of your company. Be sure to mention the vision and mission statement in your HR Manual.

1. Make an Employees' file for each and every employee, including their residential address, date of birth, phone number, references, etc.
2. Also, specify the dress code for employees and the working hours.
3. Outline the company's leave policy.
4. Provide information on insurance benefits and medical benefits.
5. Detail the salary structure.
6. Include a section on performance appraisals.
7. When a new employee joins your organization, provide them with induction, as it will be helpful for them.
8. Discuss training opportunities.
9. Describe the company's culture.
10. Explain the procedures for PF and Ptax.

Dipali

Hi Katyana,

Your write-up on setting up an HR department in a startup company is simply great. I'm also working with a new startup company. I prepared employee personal files and even policies. However, my Managing Director didn't sign these policies, so I couldn't make an HR manual without his approval.

Please advise me on how I can proceed.

Akanksha Kukhraniya

Hi katyana,

Your write-up on setting up an HR DEPT IN A STARTUP COMPANY is simply great. I'm also working with a new startup company. I have prepared employee personal files and policies as well. However, my Managing Director has not signed these policies yet, so I am unable to create an HR manual without his approval. Please advise me on how to proceed.

Akanksha Kukhraniya

Dear Akanksha Kukhraniya,

Please prepare a proposal of HR policies in presentation form and then present that proposal in front of management. After presenting the proposal, discuss the pros and cons of those proposed policies. Once the discussion is complete, ask them to sign it. I'm confident that by following this approach, your policies will be signed by the management, and you will be able to successfully implement them in your company.

Best regards,
Katyana

Dear Akanksha Kukhraniya,

Please understand the needs of the organization and the interests of the management.

Every time you make a policy or proposal, please seek principle approval from the management before framing the final draft.

Understand and ask your MD for not signing the document.

Provide supporting evidence from other companies.

Thank you.