Your Guide To buying HR services

Why buy outsourced HR Services? § SME’s with Employees must comply with Human Resources legislation. § Employing HR professionals is expensive. § A single HR professional often doesn’t have the breadth of experience to cover all eventualities. § Outsourcing HR is extremely cost effective (a fraction of the cost of even a junior HR professional). § Advice and guidance available as and when required. § Reduces the requirement for costly legal advice on employment matters. § A credible outsourced HR service provides Insured advice. § To reduce the risk of employment tribunal claims.

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Top 10 things to consider when selecting your preferred outsourced HR provider. 1)

Length of contract and notice period to terminate.

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Who is your dedicated contact?

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How much experience does the person providing you with advice have?

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Do they have a breadth of experience across a range of sectors?

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Do they have an appropriate level professional indemnity insurance?

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Are they Human Resources experts / professionals?

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Are you getting good value for money?

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If they are offering you tribunal cost cover, what are the terms?

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Have you met the individuals who will provide you with outsourced support?

10) Do you trust them?

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Things to Consider – the detail. Length of contract and notice period to terminate. § Many of the larger companies in the sector tie you up for up to 5 years without an easy exitsome requiring 6 months notice! Why would you sign for 5 years when its difficult to predict the next 12 months? Who is your dedicated contact? § Do you have a dedicated Senior level HR expert that you can contact directly, or do you have to call a contact centre? § Contact centre approaches can cause more problems than they solve. There is no room for tailored advice to suit an individual business needs and you therefore are advised to follow strict process irrespective if it is appropriate for your specific problem.

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Things to Consider (continued). How much experience does the person providing you with advice have? § In many companies the advisor on the end of the phone will have limited HR experience and, in some cases, has never worked in HR prior to working in their current role. Do they have a breadth of experience across a range of sectors? § Good commercially aware HR professionals have developed their skills whilst working in a range of sectors and in various size companies. Individuals with limited experience poses a risk that they may not provide the best advice or guidance that is particularly relevant to your company or sector. Do they have an appropriate level professional indemnity insurance? § A credible HR business will have a good level of insurance to protect against poor advice. Are they Human Resources experts / professionals? § Be careful with firms providing HR advice as a secondary / additional product. They may be experts in their field but not all in HR practice. Lawyers are experts in law, Health and Safety professionals are experts in health and safety and accountants are experts in accounting. HR is no different. Choose a HR professional!

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Things to Consider (continued). Are you getting good value for money? § Does the service being provided meet your needs? Not simply an off the shelf one size fits all service. § It may not be the least expensive option, but does your contract provide you with first class expert advice from an experienced and professional team. If they are offering you tribunal cost cover, what are the terms? § Those HR companies suggest that if you follow their process then you will be covered for all tribunal costs. This very often isn’t true! § Firstly, you must follow their process, template docs and scripts to the letter (even if it isn’t entirely appropriate or fits with your business / individual). § Secondly, those companies will only cover your costs if there is at least a 55% chance of winning the case (which is a subjective assessment). They will also not cover any out of court settlements (that make up 99% of resolutions). § You may find that you are already covered that you already pay for as part of another insurance product. § If you wanted to secure this insurance, you can buy it yourself for as little as £300 per year.

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Things to Consider (continued). Have you met the individuals who will provide you with outsourced support? § Just like employing a member of the team it is important that you know and get on with the individuals that will provide you with advice and support as an extension to your existing team. § Quite often you will only meet the Business Development Manager (Salesperson) and not the individuals who will be supporting your business. Do you trust them? § Most importantly, do you trust them to do a great job for you and act in the best interest of your business? Are they clear and transparent regarding their services, costings and agenda? Do their values and ethics align with yours and your business? After all they will be representing you and your brand!

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HR Services comparison Table Contact us at: www.harwoodhrsolutions.co.uk Tel : 0203 936 9171

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Why Harwood?

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