Get organised

If you find yourself managed under formal processes, there is one practical thing you can do to cut through the stress and confusion – and that is to get organised. How do I do that? I’m glad you asked.  Let’s look at five areas:

  1. Equipment
  2. Paperwork
  3. Read, review and make notes
  4. Compiling a timeline
  5. Filing your paperwork

 

Equipment 

You may already have some of these items so before you go and buy stuff, have a quick check.

  • Lever arch folder
  • Notebook
  • Pens
  • Highlighter pens
  • Post-it notes
  • Hole Puncher
  • Stapler
  • File dividers

 

Paperwork 

Gather all of your paperwork together.  Now, depending on the nature of the process or processes you are undergoing your paperwork may include:

  • Letters 
  • Emails
  • Policies and procedures
  • Other documents relating to the process

 

Read, review and make notes

  • Read all of the information you have received to ensure that you understand all the information to hand.
  • Highlight essential points – you can also make notes in margins
  • Write down any questions or queries you may have so you can ask someone such as your manager, HR colleague or trade union representative

 

Compiling a timeline 

  • Now, put your paperwork in date order and draw up a timeline of events.
  • A timeline is merely a running record of activities that help you to keep track of events in an organised way.
  • I have written an example in my post ‘Know the details of your case better than anyone else.’ https://hopeplace.co.uk/know-the-details-of-your-case-better-than-anyone-else/

 

Filing your paperwork

  • File your paperwork in a logical format taking care to label the file dividers so that you can find information quickly. For example, you may have a section for your timeline, an area for suspension, an area for disciplinary, an area for policies and so forth
  • Last but not least ensure that you keep your file and timeline up to date

You may find that you don’t follow these steps in the exact order.  That’s ok, find a format that works for you so you can get organised.

© Dawn H Jones

Please note that this post does not constitute specific HR if you require help please contact an appropriately qualified professional or email info@hopeplace.co.uk

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Initially published 29 October 2018; revised 6 September 2020.

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