Human resources is a critical tool for many companies to ensure compliance with laws, managing payroll and keeping the workforce staffed and productive. HR policies can help companies in many ways, including improving time management, preventing lawsuits and improving communications with employees. In the information technology industry, HR can be an important factor in keeping the company competitive by implementing policies that help attract talented employees and successfully fill technological positions.

Finding Talent

Attracting talent is an important function of an IT company’s HR policy, which is mostly accomplished through compensation, perks and workplace culture. Creating an environment where your employees feel welcome and happy requires accommodating the life of your employees. For larger companies, being open to granting transfers can help keep talent from leaving for the competition, and giving references to employees who have left shows goodwill and helps improve your company’s reputations among job seekers. Time off, sick days and bereavement policies for deaths can also be a draw, while also keeping employee morale high.

Filling High-Tech Positions

Properly filling positions is another key goal for IT company HR policy. Technology jobs can require different skill sets for different parts of a project. Identifying the right person to meet the specific requirements for a position can be a challenge, especially if the HR hiring officer doesn’t know enough about the project or technology details. One change that can help HR managers is to adjust hiring policies to encourage promotion of current employees, instead of searching for outside candidates. According to CIO Magazine, by promoting employees to higher positions and management roles, HR managers can improve productivity and retain valuable company knowledge.

Employee Data Security

Data security is an important element in any industry, but in IT and related high-tech industries, keeping employee information safe can take on increased priorities, according to ComputerWorld. HR policies may be needed to address encryption, legal requirements, employee data collection and even paper security rules, for files that are printed or maintained in separate locations. These policies should also include data access rules, including multilayer sign-ins and automatic sign-offs for when employees leave their desks.

Telecommuting

Sometimes employees at IT companies will want to telecommute, and an HR policy should set rules for employees that work off site. For some companies, telecommuting can lead to savings in office space and workplace costs. However, the tradeoff can be a loss of productivity, along with a loss of the creativity and employee cohesion that can be developed through personal interactions and meetings. Some jobs will be more suited to telecommuting, especially given equipment, security, communication and productivity requirements. According to HR.com, establishing consistent rules governing eligibility for telecommuting will help HR managers defend their decisions on who can work from home.