International HR Day: Why HR are the unsung heroes.

The role of HR is commonly thought to be just focused on hiring and firing, but there is much more to it than meets the eye. And for business owners, HR can be your knight in shining armour, without you even knowing.

The primary responsibility for HR is to make sure compliance with all employment laws, and with hundreds of acts in place designed to protect employees from bad working practice, they can save your business thousands of pounds without you even realising it.

1)????? Establishing ethos

When it comes to embedding the correct policies and procedures across a company, HR leads the way. From setting out the process for inducting new employees to benefits packages and training, absence management and everything else in between.

From creation to implementation, HR’s responsibility is to ensure that company practices are compliant with the most up to date legislation, both employees and employers are fully aware of their responsibilities, and that all new policies are communicated across the organisation. These principles lay the groundwork for all future endeavours and the core culture of each organisation.

Following best practice across HR means that both employer and employee rights are protected. Many people feel that HR only looks after a business’s interests, but part of that is ensuring that the business follows all employment law which, in turn, ensures that employees are treated fairly and properly creating better workplaces for all.

2)????? Shape the tools for success.

Whether you’re an entry level employee or the CEO, every person within an organisation has an important role to play when it comes to the success and growth of the business.

HR plays a vital role in ensuring that opportunities are available within the business giving every employee the opportunity to grow and flourish. This includes career pathways, promotion opportunities, management training, or extra responsibilities.

Although managers often take the glory by announcing good news such as promotions, behind the scenes, HR is working hard advising the management team and ensuring that the correct steps are taken at each stage of a persons career. ?

Without HR employers can easily find themselves on the wrong side of employment law, often not even realising until a grievance is raised against them. No business owner goes into business to spend hours poring over legislation. HR ensures that the business is set up for success both legally and personally; putting the right people into the right roles to ensure that with employees’ success comes business success.

3)????? Recognising and rewarding.

Reward and recognition are key to fostering a positive culture within a business. Good work should be rewarded whether this is an annual bonus, a trip away, or some chocolates to say thank you for a job well done. When employees feel valued and appreciated this motivates them to work harder, resulting in a more productive and high achieving workforce. ?

Businesses who recognise and reward employees are likely to see higher retention and job satisfaction rates. ?No business wants a revolving door of employees; not only does this mean increased spend on recruitment but also makes it really difficult to establish a strong culture and consistent work.

3)????? An ever-changing landscape.

Since January alone we have seen ten employment law changes, with more still to come throughout the year. And with a general election ahead, there are bound to be even more changes depending on which party wins.

Employment law is complex. It takes time to familiarise yourself with all current and pending legislation in order to understand changes and responsibilities and ensure that all your policies are updated appropriately. ?

This is where HR comes into its own, keeping on top of the ever-changing legislation to ensure that the business remains compliant. With tribunals rising, along with the amount of compensation that they can award to complainants, the risk of getting this wrong has never been higher. ?

4)????? They are the example.

It goes without saying that those who make the rules must follow the rules, otherwise what is the point?

HR leads from the front, serving as an example for the whole organisation from senior leadership down to reinforce behaviours and practices that are expected from everyone. From ensuring that all guides and employee handbooks are up to date, everyone has received and read them, answering any questions or queries, and solving any disputes. ?

They also have the job of handling disciplinaries when the policies and procedures are not followed. And while this may not be the most enjoyable part of the job, it is one of the most important. ?

Disciplinary measures are always a last resort, but when needed it’s crucial that they are carried out correctly. Getting anything wrong at this stage can leave employers exposed to both financial and reputational risk.

HR works hard every day to make the workplace the best possible place for both employee and employer, making sure everyone is equipped for success and ensuring when things go wrong that they are dealt with properly and professionally.

Don't forget the unsung heroes, HR! ??

Read our guide on why equity, diversity, and inclusion are the Essence of all healthy workplaces here this International HR Day.