New managers need to be trained in HR policies and procedures. Developing training modules that will address their needs will help build consistency company-wide.
A common component of managerial training programs is a section on human resources. New managers need to be aware of HR policies and procedures including strategic staff planning, job analysis and design, recruiting, interviewing, selection, orientation, professional development, succession planning, health and safety and managing the performance of their direct reports.
These skills may come naturally to the new manager or may not. It depends entirely on their attitudes towards human capitol and the importance it plays in their alignment with business strategies and philosophies. Managers who focus more on the numbers and less on managing talent tend to let HR responsibilities slip. The irony is that to be highly productive, talent needs to be optimized. Good HR practices go a long way to ensuring that talent is optimized and productivity is high.
Developing a program to train new managers can be effectively structured by creating modules on the topics listed above. Modules that can be delivered in 1-3 hours will be practical. Expecting new managers to be pulled away from their duties for more time is not respecting the needs of operations and may result in poor attendance. It is important to develop a roll out plan that works around operational constraints like seasonal busy times, major projects and events or staffing shortages.
If program participants are located all over the country, then look at delivering part or all of the training online, as webinars or tied-in with meetings or other events that will bring them together in one location.
Some companies, especially newer start-ups, may not have a formal HR department. This requires hiring managers to be HR generalists and other staff to take on the roles normally assigned to junior HR staff like offer letters, enrollment in benefits, provisioning and so on. In this case, it is wise to have training available and policies in place to ensure corporate culture, ethical and legal policies are being practiced. These policies and procedures will help ensure that fair practices are maintained and that there is consistency from business unit to business unit.
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