Very few small businesses can afford to employ a full-time human resources manager. But personnel issues are too important to leave up to chance. Every organisation should have a strategy to deal with areas such as training, maternity cover, keeping staff informed, health and safety and pay awards.

Putting a senior manager in charge of ensuring all these areas are covered highlights the importance of human resources (HR) to the rest of the organisation. The manager should review the system regularly and make sure staff know that it is there for them too.

Keeping staff informed

Making sure that employees know what's happening in their own organisation and the wider industry is important whatever the size of the company. Lack of information can spark rumours and dent morale. But information overload is just as destructive because employees won't have time to read it and might miss important news.

Some information is best relayed face to face. If you're holding a meeting remember to include workers who aren't always in the office: part-time staff and home workers, people who work shifts and employees who are "on the road". Try to choose a time when most people can attend and make sure anyone who misses the meeting knows what has happened.

Information which is very important, or which is unlikely to change over time is best conveyed in writing. Consider the following:

• Company or employee handbook. This could include terms and conditions of employment, company rules and facilities such as corporate gym membership.
• Noticeboards. Make sure they're placed where everyone will see them and that they're kept up to date.
• Pay packet or notification. This is one piece of paper that most people study thoroughly.
• House journals and newsletters. These usually also convey social news and can be a good way of boosting team spirit.
• New media. Emails, an intranet (internal computer network) or text messages are handy ways of conveying short pieces of information. Their disadvantage is that there are easily deleted.

Staying up to date

UK and European employment rules change regularly. Several organisations offer instant information to help you keep up with developments or to cope with specific situations such as redundancy or dismissal.