Confessions of an Independent HR Consultant
Editorial Article • Spring 2021
Members article published by Add HR Solutions
Well, what a year! I am sure that I am not the only person that says that, but I can honestly say in all my years in HR I have never experienced anything quite like it! I have seen some incredibly positive outcomes for people despite the doom and gloom on the news. It has been a true test of my experience, knowledge, skills, and, perhaps not to be under-estimated my emotional resilience!
My own experience has been an extremely busy year and I have had the opportunity to collaborate with lawyers and other HR Consultants on a variety of issues, whilst also benefitting from Zoom and Teams not being a barrier to geography, even managing a grievance for a UK subsidiary of a US company despite time differences.
Operating within the SME market, I have been encouraged by their sheer determination to succeed in the circumstances and how HR can really support a business!
I have been involved in supporting employers with their communications with employees to keep them updated, so important whilst they have been furloughed.
Some clients have reported that this has improved employee engagement and I quote one employee ‘I don’t think I really knew my line manager until all this happened’. Goes to show how the challenges of a pandemic has encouraged greater openness and strengthened employment relationships.
The other side of the coin has been aiding companies in taking stock, restructuring, and consulting with staff about potential changes and redundancy. However, by implementing actions to bounce back from COVID there has been opportunity for employees to undertake new challenges in the future and in some cases redundancy processes have been abandoned as clients have exploited new opportunities.
About Ali Davies
Ali Davies has run her independent HR Consultancy since May 2012. Ali started her HR career in the early 90’s having studied business studies and HR (well it was called personnel then) at Teesside Polytechnic.
Throughout her career, people development has been a theme and she trained as a teacher in the mid 90’s, teaching HR practitioners their professional qualifications within higher education.
Ali is a keen shooter and can’t wait to bust some clays and give the firearms a good airing
Contact Ali at www.addhr.co.uk