by Deborah Eke
The new year often exposes cracks in HR operations. Leave balances may not add up. Payroll rules can change overnight. Employee records can feel outdated as soon as you open them. For HR teams, January is less about resolutions and more about resetting systems, so the year runs more smoothly than the last.
A practical HR checklist helps teams shift from firefighting to forward planning. With the right technology, much of this work happens without manual effort or constant follow-ups.
Here’s what should be on every HR leader’s radar as the year begins:
1. Conduct Performance Reviews and Set Goals
As one of the most valuable ways to align people with business priorities, performance reviews help managers give meaningful feedback, recognize achievement, and set clear development goals for the new year. Tying these conversations to learning and career progression also strengthens retention and engagement.
2. Review and Update HR Policies for Compliance
New laws, remote work norms, and workplace expectations evolve fast. Reviewing your employee handbook, updated policies, and compliance requirements ensures your organization stays protected and employees understand expectations around pay, time off, conduct, and hybrid/remote arrangements.
3. Strengthen Payroll Management for the Year Ahead
Payroll errors are costly, and regulatory updates only increase the risk. Each year brings changes to tax rules, deductions, and statutory contributions. HR and finance teams need payroll systems that can adapt without disrupting operations.
For organizations operating in Nigeria, alignment with the New Tax Act (NTA 2025) is a critical focus. Beyond specific regulations, payroll systems should maintain accuracy across salaries, benefits, and deductions. HumanManager supports compliant and consistent payroll management, reducing errors and saving hours of reconciliation every month.
4. Review and Reset Leave Plans
Leave policies are often carried over without question, even when the workforce has changed. Hybrid schedules, new roles, and compliance updates all affect how leave should work.
Start by auditing existing leave types, carryover rules, and approval workflows. Are employees clear on what they’re entitled to? Are managers approving leave consistently? Automation helps by removing guesswork and keeping leave balances accurate in real time. With HumanManager, leave planning becomes structured, transparent, and easy to manage without chasing spreadsheets.
5. Update Staff Data
Outdated employee data causes problems across HR, from benefits administration to performance tracking. The start of the year is the right time to review personal details, job roles, reporting lines, and employment status.
A centralized HR system allows teams to update staff records once and trust that information everywhere else. Clean data isn’t just about compliance. It’s the foundation for better decisions throughout the year.
6. Build Data that Drives Insight
Data shouldn’t sit unused. When structured properly, it reveals patterns in attendance, turnover, performance, and engagement. Modern HR platforms turn everyday activity into insights that leadership can actually use. With HumanManager, HR teams can track trends, spot risks early, and support workforce planning with real numbers instead of assumptions.
7. Equip Employees with Learning Pathways
Employee development is no longer optional. Skills evolve fast, and people expect growth opportunities that match their roles.
Learning pathways help employees understand what’s next and how to get there. Through HumanManager Learning, organizations can create clear learning pathways that connect performance, training, and career progression. Employees understand what’s next, and HR teams can support development without adding administrative burden.
A strong start sets the tone for the entire year. When HR processes are automated, data-driven, and people-focused, teams gain time to focus on what matters most: their workforce.
Start the new year with clarity, efficiency, and a competitive HR advantage, request a demo: https://humanmanager.net/demo-request or send an email to [email protected]