The new year is approaching fast, so it’s time to start planning for the future. Are you ready to take your veterinary practice to the next level in 2012?

Of course, making positive changes in your hospital means providing better medicine for your patients, generating more revenue, and finding new ways to make your clients and team members happy. But it also means taking care of the less glamorous aspects of practice ownership, like managing human resources.

Here’s a list of HR activities you should take care of this December to prepare for 2012, courtesy of consulting firm Veterinary Business Advisors in Flemington, N.J.

> Prepare OSHA form 300A from the OSHA 300 log.
> Finalize performance management review discussions and inform employees of annual increases or bonuses and effective dates.
> As per National Labor Relations Board regulations, notify employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (click here to print the rights).
> Remind employees IRS-mandated changes for 2012 to pension plans or 401(k) plans. One key change for 401(k) plans: the elective deferral contribution limit will be $17,000, effective Jan. 1, 2012.
> Remind employees to submit a new W-4 form if they plan to make withholding changes in 2012.

Stay tuned for more HR advice each month.