HR Shared Services: Everything You Need to Know

In this article, we will explain the benefits of HR shared services, how to choose an HR shared service provider and the areas of your business they can assist you with.

What are HR Shared Services?

Human Resources is one of the most important aspects of any business. The HR department is responsible for ensuring that employees are treated fairly and legally and that they are productive and happy in their work. It can be extremely beneficial for businesses to outsource some or all of their HR services and so many are turning to HR shared services to help with their employment management.

At Neathouse Partners, our HR shared services UK have been designed to help businesses of all sizes. We offer a range of services, from appraisals and contracts to disciplinaries and dismissals. Our team of experts have years of experience in HR and are more than happy to help with any queries or concerns you may have.

What are the Benefits of Shared Services in HR?

• Expertise - An experienced HR shared services provider will have in-depth knowledge and experience in every aspect of HR, which can be invaluable when it comes to areas such as disciplinary procedures and employment law.
• Cost savings - By outsourcing specific activities, businesses can save on the cost of employing in-house staff or using external consultants. This means more money for other areas of the business.
• Scalability - A good HR shared services provider will be able to scale their services up or down depending on your needs, meaning you won’t have to pay for resources you don’t need.
• Standardisation - By using a specialist provider, businesses can ensure that all HR processes are standardised and follow HR shared services best practices. This means that there is less chance of errors and that employees are treated in a consistent manner.
• Tailored services - the provider will be able to offer a range of services that are tailored to the specific needs of the business. This can include anything from providing HR advice to managing employee records.
  
  

To speak to our experienced HR shared services team, get in touch with us today!

HR Shared Service Examples

There are many aspects of your business's HR duties that can be outsourced if you follow a shared services HR model. Some of the most common include:

Employee Appraisals

An appraisal is a formal meeting between an employee and their manager, during which the employee’s performance is assessed. This can be a daunting process for both parties, but by using a shared services provider, you can ensure that it is carried out in a consistent and fair manner.

At Neathouse Partners, we know that appraisals can be a key part of employee development. That’s why we offer a range of services to help you with this process, including appraisal templates and training for managers.

Employee Contracts

When hiring new employees, you will need to draw up a contract of employment. This document sets out the terms and conditions of the employee’s contract and must be adhered to by both parties. A shared services provider can help you to create contracts that are legally compliant and meet the needs of your business.

At Neathouse Partners, we always look at contracts from a legal perspective to ensure that they are watertight. We can also help with contract amendments, renewals and terminations. All of this is very important because if you breach contract laws and regulations, you could face a number of legal penalties.

Disciplinary Processes and Procedures

Having clear rules set in place with regard to employee conduct and behaviour is crucial for running a successful business. If these rules are broken, you will need to follow a consistent set of disciplinary processes and procedures.

Businesses that follow HR shared services models are able to get professional advice about how to deal with employee discipline so they can be sure that their disciplinary processes are up to date and legally compliant. At Neathouse Partners, we help our clients to develop and implement disciplinary policies that are specific to their needs.

Employee Relations

Employee relations encompass everything from managing grievances to conducting exit interviews. This is an area that many business owners struggle with because it can be difficult to remain impartial when you are dealing with your own employees.

Experienced shared HR service teams will have extensive experience in dealing with employee relations issues and will be able to offer expert advice and support. Fostering the right work environment where all employees are able to get along and work towards a common goal is crucial in business so it is important to have a specialist HR provider on hand who can help with this.

At Neathouse Partners, our HR experts have years of experience in dealing with employee relations issues so we can assist you with anything you need.

Workplace Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination and harassment in the workplace are two of the most serious offences an employer has to face. If either of these occurs in your business, it is essential to have a robust process in place for dealing with them.

Professional HR teams will be able to provide you with expert advice on how to deal with these types of situations, as well as provide support and guidance to employees who have been affected by them. Our Neathouse Partners HR experts can help you to draft a policy on discrimination and harassment that is legally compliant so that all your employees know what is and isn't acceptable conduct.

Employment Status

There are a number of different employment statuses an employee can have, such as full-time, part-time, temporary or contract. Determining someone's employment status can be a difficult task and one that is often open to interpretation.

A shared services HR team will be able to help you to determine someone's employment status and will also be able to advise you on the best way to go about changing someone's status if required. An employee's status affects various aspects of their job and your obligations as an employer including holiday entitlement, sick leave and benefits.

At Neathouse Partners, we can show you how to get the most out of your team by ensuring that everyone is in the right employment status and is able to enjoy the benefits that come with it.

Maternity/Paternity Rights

One of the most important aspects of HR shared services is ensuring that all employees are given the same level of support when it comes to family-related issues. This includes things like maternity/paternity rights and parental leave.

A good HR shared services provider will be able to help you to understand your obligations as an employer in relation to maternity/paternity rights and will also provide support and advice to employees who are taking or considering taking parental leave. They will also help you to draft a policy on parental leave that is compliant with the law and gives your employees the time they need to look after their families.

At Neathouse Partners, we recognise the importance of maternity/paternity leave and can assist you in drafting a policy that is right for your business and your employees.

Organisation Design

If you are looking to make changes to the way your business is organised, a good HR shared services provider will be able to help. They will be able to provide advice on how to go about restructuring your business and will also be able to assist with the implementation of any new policies or procedures.

Restructuring your business can provide many benefits such as increased efficiency and improved productivity. However, it is important to go about it in the right way or you could end up with a lot of disgruntled employees. Our HR experts at Neathouse Partners can help you to plan and execute a successful restructure that will benefit your business and your employees.

Staff Redundancies & Reorganisations

Redundancies and reorganisations are two of the most difficult things an employer has to deal with. They can often be costly and time-consuming and can lead to a lot of tension in the workplace.

A top HR consultant will be able to help you through this process and will provide support and guidance to both employees and managers. They will also be able to help you with the legal aspects of redundancies and reorganisation business, ensuring that everything is done in accordance with the law.

If you are considering making redundancies or restructuring your, our experts at Neathouse Partners can help you to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.

Business Performance & Capability

Poor performance or capability can be a real problem for businesses. It can lead to decreased productivity and increased staff turnover, and can be very costly.

Professional HR shared services providers will be able to help you to deal with poor performance and incapability issues. They will have a range of tools and techniques at their disposal that will help you to identify and address these issues. They will also be able to provide training for managers so that they can deal with poor performance and incapability in a way that is both effective and fair.

At Neathouse Partners, we have extensive experience dealing with performance and capability issues. We can help you to identify and address these issues in a way that is both fair and effective.

Sickness and Absence Management

Employees who are off work due to sickness can be a real drain on resources for businesses. Not only do they need to be replaced, but they also often need to be paid statutory sick pay.

A good HR shared services provider will be able to help you with all aspects of sickness and absence management. This includes things like managing gaps in your teams, returning employees to work and dealing with disciplinary issues. They will also be able to provide you with training for managers so that they can deal with sickness and absence in a way that is fair and effective.

At Neathouse Partners, we have extensive experience in managing sickness and absence. We can help you to develop a policy that is fair to your employees but will prevent your business from being left shorthanded.

 

Staff Motivation & Retention

Keeping staff motivated and preventing your best employees from leaving your company is key to sustained success. Your employees are your most important asset, and you need to do everything you can to keep them happy and engaged.

HR experts understand the importance of staff motivation and retention. They will be able to help you to develop policies and procedures that will keep your employees motivated and engaged. They will also be able to provide training for managers so that they can deal with issues such as poor performance, absence and dismissals in a way that is fair and effective.

At Neathouse Partners, we have extensive experience in keeping staff motivated and engaged. We can help you to develop a policy that is right for your company and will keep your employees happy and productive.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, HR shared resources can benefit your business in a number of ways. They can help you to deal with difficult and challenging issues and ensure that all your employees are fairly treated.

There are many global HR shared services helping businesses to succeed all over the world, so the most important thing is to identify your specific needs and find a team that can help you achieve your goals.