2025 HR Survival Kit
Get ready to tackle HR challenges head-on with our curated 2025 HR Survival Kit. This collection of essential resources is designed to simplify your processes and support your team’s success through the end of 2024 and into 2025, whether you are new to HR or a seasoned pro.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
The Importance of HR in SMBs in 2025
Getting HR right is one of the most critical factors in driving the long-term success of any organization. But HR is about more than managing people; it’s about shaping the foundation of your company’s culture, ensuring compliance, enhancing productivity, and, ultimately, supporting business growth. Research backs up this notion, with research by Gallup finding that companies with strong HR practices experience 14.9% lower turnover rates and see 21% higher profitability than those with weaker practices.
With businesses and the workforce continuing to see massive changes going into 2025, HR has become more complex than ever. Shifting workforce demographics, remote work, changing regulations, and increasing expectations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have added new layers of responsibility for HR teams. Organizations that fail to adapt risk falling behind in terms of talent retention, compliance, and organizational efficiency as we move into the new year. However, those who get HR right stand to gain a competitive advantage — attracting top talent, fostering innovation, and creating a resilient, future-ready workforce.
This HR Survival Kit provides comprehensive resources across every critical HR function, from recruitment to offboarding. By leveraging these resources, you’ll be better equipped to create a people-first organization that is ready to thrive in 2025 – because when HR is done right, it becomes a powerful driver of business success and a key differentiator in building a high-performing, engaged workforce.
Chapter 2
Recruitment
Recruiting top talent is a key HR responsibility, requiring strategy, time, and the right tools to overcome challenges like candidate sourcing and interview processes. This section offers resources to optimize recruitment, improve candidate experience, refine job postings, and implement data-driven hiring strategies, helping you build a successful recruitment pipeline.
7 Talent Acquisition Tactics to Attract Top Candidates
A Guide to Hiring International Employees
4 Reasons DEI Should Dominate Your Recruitment Strategy
How HR Can Think Like a Marketer: Recruitment
Chapter 3
Onboarding
Onboarding sets the tone for a new hire’s entire journey within your organization. It’s your opportunity to make a strong first impression and provide the support they need to thrive in their roles. These resources will help position you to build a comprehensive onboarding program that ensures new employees feel welcomed, informed, and empowered, with tools like checklists and best practices for both remote and in-office teams.
The Onboarding Process: Guide to Building a New Hire Program
Employee Onboarding Checklist [3 Easy Phases]
Creating an Effective 90-Day New Hire Onboarding Plan
The True Cost of Onboarding New Employees
Guide to Creating a New Hire Onboarding Feedback Survey [+Sample Questions]
Chapter 4
Benefits/Enrollment
Managing employee benefits is key to satisfaction and retention, but it can be time-consuming. A well-communicated, accessible benefits package shows your commitment to employees' well-being and reduces administrative burdens. These resources allow you to streamline benefits management and enrollment, helping you create a program that meets workforce needs and supports long-term success into 2025 and beyond.
Top 5 Open Enrollment Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
HR’s Guide to Employee Benefits Administration
Paid Parental Leave Policies for Small Businesses
Chapter 5
Compliance
Staying compliant with evolving employment laws is essential for HR teams to protect both employees and the business from non-compliance and fines. This section provides tools and resources to help navigate HR compliance, track legislative changes, and ensure proper documentation, all while reducing administrative burdens.
Everything You Need to Know About HR Compliance
Why is HR Compliance Important? [+Free Checklist]
Complete 2025 HR Compliance Calendar and Important Deadlines [+Download]
HR's Guide to Payroll Compliance [+Checklist]
A Guide to IRS Form 941 for Small Businesses
What is Form 940? The Small Business Guide to FUTA
Pay Equity and Pay Transparency Guide for Multi-State Employers
Chapter 6
Performance Management
Performance management is key to driving employee growth, engagement, and overall organizational success. A well-executed performance management system is about going beyond annual performance reviews to create a continuous cycle of improvement and development that benefits both the employee and the organization. Whether you’re looking to enhance your feedback processes, set measurable goals, or resolve workplace conflicts, these resources will support you in building a culture of high performance and accountability.
Performance Management Do's and Don'ts
HR's Guide to Mid-Year Performance Reviews
How to Create Performance Improvement Plans That Get Results
How to Create an Employee Self-Evaluation Process [+Video]
Your Ultimate Guide to Giving More Effective Performance Reviews
HR's 9-Step Guide to Conflict Resolution in the Workplace [+Template]
5 Ways HR Can Improve Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
Chapter 7
Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is the foundation of a thriving workplace. This doesn’t just benefit employees – creating an environment where employees are truly invested in the success of the organization and their own professional growth leads to a productive, high-performing workforce. These resources will empower you to enhance engagement, drive productivity, and create a positive work environment where employees feel heard and appreciated.
The Secret to Strengthening Employee Engagement Across a Distributed Workforce
35+ Employee Engagement Survey Questions You Need To Ask
How HR Can Think Like a Marketer: Engagement
The Complete Guide to Employee Recognition
A Guide to Gen Z and Gen Alpha Slang for the Workplace
How HR Can Think Like a Marketer: Retention
Chapter 8
Offboarding
Offboarding is a crucial aspect of the employee lifecycle – but also one that is an afterthought for many companies. A well-structured offboarding process ensures a smooth transition for both the departing employee and the organization, minimizing disruptions and maintaining positive relationships. From conducting exit interviews to managing knowledge transfer and compliance, these tools will help you handle offboarding with professionalism and care, ensuring a respectful and seamless departure for all parties involved.
Why Your Employee Surveys and Exit Interviews Aren't Helpful
The Complete Employee Offboarding Process [+ Checklist]
Putting the Human Back in HR: How to Create a Positive Offboarding Experience
Chapter 9
HR Technology
HR technology is essential for optimizing and streamlining daily business operations. From automating administrative tasks to ensuring compliance and accuracy, a modern HR system saves time, reduces errors, and enhances overall efficiency. These tools empower HR teams to manage everything from payroll and benefits to performance tracking and employee engagement. With centralized data and integrated processes, HR technology enables businesses to operate more effectively, allowing leaders to focus on strategic growth while maintaining a seamless employee experience.
Why 2025 is the Year to Upgrade Your HR Tech
What is an HRIS? A Guide to Modern HR Software and Implementation
Timeline for HR Software Implementation: What to Expect
How to Prepare for Your HRIS Switch or Implementation
15 Tips for Small Businesses on Handling HR Processes
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