In a recent seminar on human resource management, a participant came to a new understanding of the importance of the HR role. She works at a dealership with 14 employees and virtually no turnover. Her attendance in the seminar was preceded by some kicking and dragging of feet. “Why do I need to know about HR?” was the question.
Part of the way thru the first session, her silence was noted. Our facilitator asked why she was being so quiet. Her response: “Y’all are so worked up over the proper use of an I-9 and I don’t even know what one is!”
I’ve long thought that we give too little focus on compliance in the smaller stores. Our friend offers too common an example. Many think that if they do not have 50 full-time employees and qualify for FMLA, they do not have much to do with HR.
The exposure is there in any case. Maybe you’ve seen some examples. A prior RVDA chairman made the news not long ago because the EEOC has taken the case of a former disgruntled employee and has undertaken to vigorously pursue the dealer. A shop foreman in the northeast dropped trousers in front of the detail crew. A warranty clerk sued successfully because of a hostile work environment (cussing in the shop).
You may think you have “no problems.” You may think your size excludes you. It's not justthe dealership business, its ALL businesses. It’s only a matter of time…