HR; Friend or Foe?

So many businesses are apprehensive to introduce HR into their organisation, whether the HR is simple guidelines or assigning a HR Consultant or even developing a HR department.  Whatever level of HR involvement, much of this apprehension is the fear of the unknown with so many questions needing to be answered; what actually are the HR rules & regulations, how do I apply them, who can help me, how much will support cost, what do I do next and so on.

But with anything in business, until you have tried it you will never realise the benefits it has for your businesses efficiency and profitability!  Speaking from experience I have and still am witnessing a small local business which is screaming out for some HR guidance and in this case HR could be their friend…..

The Company Owner and Manager runs his service business with just three employees but believe it or not, with just a small staff team there have been HR elements to be handled including absenteeism issues, motivation matters, maternity allowances, flexible working requests and general attitude and behaviour problems. Phew! What a list for one Manager to deal with all alone!

The Manager has always hoped to avoid HR at all costs as a part of his business because of the fear of it, seeing it as an unnecessary factor which takes up too much time, effort and money when he has always believed he could resolve any employment matters informally through ‘chats’.  As a result he doesn’t have contracts of employment issued, basic policies and procedures available or consistent rules in place.  Consequently he wants to rectify these issues but doesn’t have the confidence to do so as there has always been a lack of clarity and confirmation of the boundaries.  

He now feels completely overwhelmed and frustrated with his one burning question being ‘where do I start?’ but the answer is simple ‘go back to basics and start from scratch!’.  So yes, involve HR by introducing at the very least some common ‘terms and conditions of employment’ to set the ground rules for all employees.  These terms and conditions will be the starting point for addressing any issues in the team which don’t seem to adhere to the company standards.  Believe it or not I am sure his employees will appreciate such standardisation as they will have a better sense of knowing what is expected of them and also what they can expect from their employer as employment is undoubtedly a two way process. 

In this situation, HR can definitely be his ‘Friend’……maybe next time we can consider how HR can be deemed the ‘Foe’?!?!?!?

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