HR Management covers a large number of domains like Recruitment, Training, Compensation and Benefits, etc. And managing all of these can be a difficult task for HR professionals, especially when the number of employees in the organisation increase. That’s one reason why many organisations take to HR consulting. They hire an HR Consultant who comes in every week for a fixed number of hours and completes the required HR tasks. They not only assist the HR in some organisations, but also lend their advice on various HR related issues.
So, what do you think could be issues than an HR professional could face and how do you think HR consulting help them? Let me tell you…
Lack of Expertise
Yes, many HR professionals are young and/or lack experience in the various HR domains. After all, there are so many to get your hands around! And if its your first job and you are the sole HR in your company, trust me it can get really difficult out there alone. Someone to learn from and one who can guide you is always welcome!
Lack of Importance
This situation still exists in many companies. HR is considered a support function and not given much importance. They are therefore not included in strategic decisions. This can often feel like trying to steer a boat without clearly knowing which direction your headed in! Having an HR consultant in such a scenario is a blessing, as they have access to the higher management and are seen by the management and employees as an expert in HR management whose inputs need to be taken during strategic discussions.
Recessionary times like this
Due to the perception that HR is a support function, budgets for HR activities like training, employee engagement, etc. tend to get slashed during low times. HR then has to go to the other extreme of trying to save costs like cutting salaries or mass lay-offs. This becomes a harrowing task for them and plummets employee morale even further. And that’s the time that they really need HR consulting. HR Consultants can help them use rational and scientific ways of reducing fixed costs by introducing a variable pay structure. They can also carry out job evaluations and redesign the entire organisational structure to create a leaner and more agile organisation. One that can help the organisation sustain in the current scenario and march successfully into the future.
Managing employee concerns
HR Management is definitely about giving a listening ear to employees. However, its also the responsibility of a manager to look into the conflicts existing in his team. And when managers are too focused on completing tasks, employee concerns and relationships often go out the window! That’s when employees go running to the HR, which can be a huge time spender for them.
Leadership Development
Many leaders are not open to receiving feedback from a younger HR on their performance. Neither do they want to know which training program they need to attend or that they need to be coached. Having a more experienced HR consultant who can break the news besides training and coaching the leader can really help!