You might be thinking of outsourcing your HR function to a team of experts but wondering if it really is a good idea.
Some business owners expect outsourced HR to be expensive and unnecessary, but in actual fact it can save you from a potential disaster, not to mention time and money.
Any business owner who has ever been involved in a dispute with an employee will tell you that having an expert guide you through the process is invaluable.
Plus, a properly managed HR function contributes to business growth and increases employee satisfaction, according to this article.
But there are more benefits to outsourcing your HR.
1) Access to Expertise
You likely set up your business because you have a passion or a talent for what you do.
Running a business, as you will know by now, requires many more skills than those that bring in the revenue.
Marketing, management, finance, planning, and HR are all areas that business owners need to have some involvement in without it being their particular forte.
By seeking help from experts, you can make sure these business functions are operating effectively and, in HR in particular, legally.
That is why outsourcing is such a valuable strategy. Accessing the expertise of an HR specialist means you are getting the very best advice.
By outsourcing your HR function, you can ensure your contracts of employment and policies are correct and will not leave you vulnerable in the future.
You can also outsource your HR function to deal with specific disputes. Navigating the legalities of HR issues can be time-consuming, nerve wracking, and complicated. Having an expert guide you through is a major benefit of outsourcing.
2) Focus On Core Business
HR takes time. What else could you do with the time you spend on your HR?
Looking after your employees properly is about more than doing a contract and HR is not an area that can be neglected.
Hiring staff, onboarding, contract management, policy management, and handling complex issues such as maternity leave, grievances, and redundancies are all areas of HR you can outsource.
This frees up your time to focus on your core business without having to be distracted.
3) Save Money
Outsourcing your HR will save you money.
Being able to have a business function there that you can turn on and off to suit demand is far more cost-efficient than having a permanent member of staff.
We have two levels of outsourced HR that goes off the number of employees in your business. Get in touch to find out more.
Outsourcing your HR through Metis HR gives you financial protection if you did go to tribunal should you choose to take this option
We have partnered with Munro-Greenhalgh Insurance Brokers and AXA to provide cover for employment tribunals.
As long as you follow our advice you will be covered for the costs of defending a claim and any awards made without having to pay any excess. You can have a look at the details of our protection against management liability insurance here.
4) Protect yourself
Everyone wants to think their employees are part of the team and have the interests of the company at heart.
But circumstances can change quickly and once friendly employees can turn. Protecting yourself and your business from disputes and tribunals can save you problems in the long run.
Outsourcing your HR means that your policies, procedures, and contracts are legally sound from the beginning and protect you if you need to raise a disciplinary or deal with a grievance.
By seeking and following professional advice you can also demonstrate to a tribunal that you took all the correct steps in handling an HR situation and your actions were fair and lawful.
When dealing with disciplinaries or grievances, it is easy to let emotion cloud your judgement and act too leniently or too harshly. An HR professional brings objectivity to a situation and makes sure that all actions taken are lawful and proportionate.
5) Low Risk
Outsourcing your HR mitigates any risk of DIY HR.
You can be confident the advice you get will be within the law and faithful to your contract.
Mistakes made during the HR process can be difficult or expensive to rectify so it is important that contracts and processes are correct from the moment your employee receives their contract.
Having an expert advising you on HR issues means there is less chance you can be taken to a tribunal as you will have acted fairly and within employment law from day one.
Get In Touch
Metis HR manage the HR functions for businesses of all size across the North West. For a consultation, please get in touch. You can contact us on 01706 565 332 or email info@metishr.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form here.
