When it comes to people practices, leaders can find themselves in unique, and oftentimes, complex situations involving their employees. The employee handbook doesn’t always provide us with clear direction when confronted with a difficult employee related issue.
The approach a leader takes to HR policy and other operational guidelines sets a very clear tone for workplace culture. Discretionary policies and inconsistent management approaches can cause a host of challenges and undermine an otherwise positive workplace culture. Yet, black and white thinking can create a proportionate set of issues. What’s a leader to do when faced with a problem that doesn’t fit neatly into the policy manual?
Organizations with a well-developed employer brand have a big advantage when they find themselves navigating muddy waters. Leaders in these organizations have the employee experience top of mind and their decision making is driven by organizational values rather than a set of guidelines. A strong employer brand provides leaders with a roadmap to follow and ensures unique situations are managed in way that reflects their employee value proposition.
A strong employer brand is woven throughout the fabric of your organization. When you find yourself struggling to make a difficult decision, step inside the employee experience and let your brand guide your actions.
