Welcome to BC Wood’s HR Toolkit
A Resource for BC VAW employers.
The BC Wood HR Toolkit has been developed to assist small to medium size employers by creating tools and supports to assist with their day-to-day HR needs. Human Resource Management refers to a range of functions needed to run a business: workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, health & safety, internal communications, compliance, DEI and employee engagement. HRM is the key to supporting a business’ most valuable asset – its employees.
The information and best practices included in this toolkit will help VAW employers who don’t currently have an HR resource or who may want quick and easy access to HR information. Employers will be able to use these tools to implement new initiatives that will attract and retain qualified workers, as well as identify opportunities that could improve the performance of employees and lead to increased productivity and profitability.
Content of the Toolkit
The HR Toolkit content describes key HR functions that are important to implementing an effective HR program and spans the entirety of an employee’s lifecycle within a business, from recruitment to retirement. A focus is on information that applies in a manufacturing setting and where available, in the value-added wood sector specifically. Developing comprehensive HR processes and procedures ensures that a business is meeting its obligations, and that the employees have the necessary skills to perform their current job duties and prepare them for future roles, when necessary.
In small and medium sized businesses different roles perform HR tasks which can range from administrative to leadership. The HR Toolkit content focuses on why a topic is important and how to incorporate a specific process or procedure into the business and not specifically on who should actually perform the task.
As jurisdictional regulations are key to ensuring compliance in HR, the information, rules, or regulations found in the HR Toolkit will specifically apply to the province of British Columbia only. Resources for businesses that require an understanding of other jurisdictions can be provided by request to workforce@bcvalueaddedwood.com.
Design of the Toolkit
For quick and easy access to specific content, the Toolkit is designed with a layout that facilitates navigation from one topic to another. The Employee Experience section contains information from pre-boarding to the last day of work and the HR functions that oversee this important part of a business.
An effective onboarding experience is more than just a safety orientation and the required paperwork. View the full onboarding page…
A Performance Management program should provide employees with the feedback and support they need to perform their job to the best of their ability. View the full Performance Management page…
Effectively using an Employee Handbook to communicate workplace policies, and understanding the Employment Standards Act, PIPA and record keeping requirements can ensure a business is compliant. View the full HR Compliance page…
HR can play an important role in a business’ safety program, from administration to training. View the full Health and Safety page…
Engagement is connecting employees with the values of the business and setting out clear expectations for behaviour in the workplace. View the full Engagement page…
It’s important to understand the basics of DEI in the workplace. View the full DEI page…
The Strategy & Recruitment section contains HR information and best practices that support the overall business by providing information on how to align business goals and objectives to a solid HR strategy, how to recruit the right people for the right job and options for the use of technology that can improve the performance and productivity of HR tasks.
Understand the basics of planning workforce needs to align with business growth strategies. View the full Workforce Plan page…
Learn about some options that are available to support recruiting efforts along with some best practices. View the full Recruitment page…
Using technology to assist HR functions could be a viable option for some small businesses. View the full HR Technology page…
The HR Toolkit is a starting point for small to medium sized VAW employers to support them in establishing day-to-day HR processes and provide guidance and best practices in the management of their employees. It will help employers in establishing an HR program that meets the needs of their business and ensure that the right people are hired, that their skills are continuously developed, and that they remain motivated to perform at their best. BC Wood will continue to expand the content and areas of support within the toolkit. Any comments, suggestions or recommendations for topics, information or resources that will make this toolkit more useful and effective can be submitted to workforce@bcvalueaddedwood.com.
Resources
A Resource List with a variety of support services for VAW employers throughout BC has been created. Please note that there is no affiliation between BC Wood and the resources or businesses listed, and the links are provided for informational purposes only.
HR Coaching Opportunity
As an important component of BC Wood’s Strategic Workforce Initiative and in conjunction with our HR Consultant, BC Wood is providing members with an opportunity to participate in coaching sessions to help them elevate their HR functions for their business. Each participant will work with the HR Consultant in a self-assessment to identify a specific HR issue along with 2 one-hour coaching sessions providing training, sample solutions or specific supports. A summary report will subsequently be provided with guidance on future steps and/or advisory services available.
We are currently looking for 5 volunteer organizations to test these materials and receive one-on-one coaching by our HR Consultant. To participate in this HR initiative contact: workforce@bcvalueaddedwood.com to register as space is limited.