Tameka Womack, PhD, MBA, MS | Director of MBA, MSLD and MSSCA Graduate Programs at Clayton State University.
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Lately, there are many changing elements for organizational leaders to keep up with that can have a very significant effect on your nonprofit. Not being aware of rapidly changing situations, attitudes and requirements and reacting appropriately could cost you and negatively affect the reputation of your nonprofit. Here are some things leaders should focus on in order to run a successful organization.
Pay attention to cultural shifts in the workforce.
First, it's important to be aware of the cultural shift taking place in the workforce and understand that the way business was conducted before the pandemic is typically no longer a viable option. Many employees discovered that they were productive and successful in their daily work tasks while working from home and now no longer desire to go to an office to complete their tasks. Pew Research Center reports that 60% of employees wish to remain working from home. With this new mindset of remote working as the desired mode for many employees, adaption is key for nonprofits.
Keep up with changing legal requirements.
There are several ways that busy nonprofits can be aware of the everchanging laws that may affect them in some capacity. Nonprofits can begin by using specialized websites and online workshops or regulation conferences. I suggest enrolling to receive several communications, such as newsletters, from law firms that specialize in nonprofits or government regulations. Many newsletters are free or charge a nominal fee.
Another option is to utilize a notification service like Talkwalker alerts or Google alerts to keep you abreast of changes that may affect you and your organization. Alert services are helpful because they allow each individual to customize what information they wish to learn, and then the alert sends any new information regarding that topic. So being informed of the changes is the first step in awareness.
Many new laws are already in effect or will be in effect shortly, and not being aware of them could potentially create a lawsuit. It's important for leaders to stay current on new laws. For example, some cities and states have recently passed the CROWN Act, which stands for "creating a respectful and open world for natural hair." This law prohibits employers from discriminating based on hair texture and hairstyle, and it stems from the rich history of African American women being criticized or penalized due to their hair choices regardless of what resources and skillsets they bring to the organization. But this is not the only human encouragement and anti-bias act that has been enacted recently. New laws can present challenges for nonprofits and can impact your work as an employer who is seeking an understanding of employees and new applicants. Make sure to do your research.
Update your working policies regularly.
In the era of the Covid-19 pandemic, with employees potentially working from home a vast amount of time, work hours and locations can become blurred and confusing for some employers. Policies may need to be updated to include specific hours and other key information needed to prevent potential challenges. Employers may also want to peruse the latest HR laws in their state, as well as federal laws, to ensure they are always in compliance. It is so easy to become out of touch due to the ever-changing environments.
Being aware of attitudes, policies and laws that change on a daily basis will allow you as a nonprofit organization to be in legal and government compliance, which is a requirement for sustainability. Staying on top of changes can also help prevent mental and financial burdens associated with lawsuits and unhappy employees exiting the organization.
The information provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter. For legal advice, you should consult with an attorney concerning your specific situation.
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