Another year has rolled by and what a year it has been. 2020 will go down in history. School children will study it. International and domestic laws will continue to be changed. New precedents have been set. The economic and social fallout will be felt for a generation. Of course, Coronavirus has been dominating the global news, but Brexit has also been on the horizon. 2020 has been an exceptionally challenging year for Metis HR clients and the Metis HR Team. Not only have businesses been struggling financially, but also from an HR perspective. Furlough, self-isolation, and social distancing have all thrown up unprecedented issues for workplaces and HR manager.
It would be fair to say that 2020 has been a challenging year, but we are not out of the woods yet. 2021 is likely to be almost as much of a challenge. Covid, Brexit, a potential recession, and the decimation of some industries will mean 2021 has some pretty unique HR challenges. Being forewarned is being forearmed, as they say, so we have compiled a list of the challenges we can look forward to meeting next year.
As enterprises grow, so do their responsibilities, which is where outsourced HR plays a pivotal role. Management of human resources is a complex function, but an essential one, and one which offers vital protection to employers. Why do employers need protection, and how does outsourced HR provide it? Here, we highlight the main advantages, and how employers can reduce their risk using expert HR support. Who is Outsourced HR For? More than simply a business function, HR supports businesses and organisations in fulfilling and complying with their responsibilities. As an employer, you will have certain responsibilities, and these will multiply as your enterprise grows. The burden of administration can become a major issue and, without the necessary resources, something that both distracts and detracts from core business issues. Human resources management is, therefore, a structural necessity, but it can be a costly one. Looking at it from another angle, most people in business, however experienced and insightful, cannot be experts in everything. Success and growth depend, to a large extent, on understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, and knowing when to bring in expertise to cover areas that are not your natural strong point. If you do not cover these […]
Outsourced HR is when employers choose to use an external company to look after their HR function or part of it. Much like when businesses outsource IT or marketing services. Traditionally, big businesses tend to have in house HR people, but it is thought that around one-third of small and medium-sized companies now use outsourced HR support. What Can Small Businesses Outsource? Outsourced HR is usually provided by HR consultancy practices or freelance HR consultants. Services available to small businesses are usually mediation services, advisory services, or support package deals for outsourcing HR. Outsourced HR packages are generally available for a monthly fee and will relieve you of much your HR administration such as updating contracts and handbooks. Packages for small businesses usually include unlimited HR advice – one of the most valuable aspects of the service as many small business owners would not have access to professional HR advice within their own business. Outsourcing is as simple as finding an HR consultancy that offers a package or services you find attractive and that fits with what you want to outsource – whether that is some or all of your HR function. When Is The Right Time To Outsource HR? […]
Metis HR was established by our MD and owner, Alison Driver, in 2011 to provide professional, commercially aware outsourced HR services for employers in the North West and beyond. Although our consultancy services are primarily for business in the North West, we work with businesses all over the UK to give our tailored, reliable and informed advice. The two main HR consultants in Metis HR are Alison Driver and Ali Penney; two very well known and respected professionals in their field. Find out more about Metis HR and our services below. About Alison Alison Driver has over 35 years of experience in managing people in an HR capacity. She Is a Chartered FCIPD and MBA qualified HR Consultant. Being a Chartered Fellow of CIPD means Alison is considered a role model for the HR industry. It recognises Alison’s commitment to shaping the industry by contributing to key CIPD research and shaping their policies. Alison draws on her vast experience and knowledge to do this. A background in the NHS managing 105 unionised staff gave her a solid grounding in management, human resources, redundancy, and unions. Since then, she estimates she has been directly responsible for over 400 employees, carried out […]
Should you bother using an HR consultant? Every business needs some HR function. Outsourcing that function to an HR consultant gives you the flexibility that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Some of the benefits of using an HR consultant are: You can get the best out of your employees Your company will be compliant with employment law Their expertise will benefit your business and help you improve productivity The recruitment process will be smooth and fair You will receive absolute impartial advice and total confidentiality You can find out exactly what an HR consultant does in this blog here. Let’s have a look at each benefit of using an HR consultant in more detail. Get The Best Out Of Your Employees If you use an HR consultant, one of the big benefits is you will be able to improve the effectiveness and efficacy of your staff. An HR consultant can help you with performance management and reviews, whether in response to a problem or as part of the annual appraisal process. An HR consultant can draw up the appraisal documents, write and distribute the letters, and ensure the appraisal process is fair. They can even attend the meetings with you or […]
As the weather improves it’s that time of year when we start to get calls about how to deal with smelly employees. Statistically, 1 in every 200 employees are likely to smell. There are some obvious causes Not washing/showering often enough. Shockingly 20% of Britons wash just four times a week or less. Not changing clothes often enough. Going for a lunch time run and not showering afterwards. Eating too much spicy food Some of the less obvious causes of smelly employees Stress Gender (men sweat more than women) Hormonal changes Certain health conditions How to tell someone they smell Telling someone they smell is challenging for most people. We’ve put together an 11 step process to help you deal with smelly employees . What do you do if smelly employees don’t improve their hygiene? We would hope that talking to smelly employees to make them aware of the problem and what you expect them to do would sort the issue out. If it doesn’t, the last case scenario is potentially one of dismissing the employee. If you get to this point get in touch with us. It’s not what you do but how you do it that will be […]
Metis are now offering Protection Against Management Liability, A New Service Protection Against Management Liability, A New Service. We all know that even sometimes when you follow Disciplinary, Dismissal or Employee Grievances to the letter, we may sometimes still have to face a potential tribunal hearing. Because of this, Metis HR has partnered with Munro-Greenhalgh Insurance Brokers. As well as one of the biggest insurance companies in the world, AXA. Together we will deliver an excellent level of cover to help you deal with any employment related claims. The policy can also pay for awards and provide for much more. Our facility through Munro-Greenhalgh Insurance Brokers means that if you follow the professional HR advice provided by Metis HR Ltd: the insurance policy will cover you defending a tribunal claim and for awards made you will pay no excess. Normally you would be required to pay an excess of £3,750! Metis HR as your trusted adviser will continue to work with you, guiding you through the claim process and be on-hand throughout so no starting from scratch again with a new person! The AXA Management Liability policy provides wide cover as standard – for employment, regulatory, […]
Rossendale Business Awards Employer of the Year Metis HR Ltd is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Employer of the Year Award at the 2015 Rossendale Business Awards. Alison Driver, Managing Director of Metis HR Ltd, said “This is the fourth year we have sponsored one of the Rossendale Business Awards. It is the second year we have sponsored the Employer of the Year Award. There are 550 businesses in Rossendale that employ over 5 people. The Employer of the Year Award is designed to recognise good quality employment practices. It is designed to engage staff to move the business forward to achieve its potential. And what a great recruitment tool to say you are Rossendale’s Employer of the Year!”. The 2015 Rossendale Business Awards will be held on 11 November 2015 at The Riverside in Whitworth. For more information see the Rossendale Business Awards website
