October 5, 2020, by HR Search & Rescue Human Resources (HR) consultants are often used by businesses of all sizes to implement new projects and provide objective points of view on human resourcing needs. HR departments are no longer the preserve of large corporations. The market is now worth $24.5 billion, and the industry continues to grow as specialized consultants become more accessible. HR consulting can take a variety of forms, but one intriguing area businesses are focusing on in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is remote HR consulting. Growth in this area represents the latest evolution in the world of HR consulting. What Is Remote HR Consulting? The HR consultant is a highly versatile role. HR consultants can be responsible for implementing new company wide benefits packages, creating employee handbooks or simply providing an objective viewpoint on a company’s recruitment policies. The remote HR consultant is an expert who can do all of these tasks from afar. In particular, remote HR consultants could be responsible for implementing new remote working policies or helping companies to integrate new technology within current working practices. Workplaces are changing and remote working arrangements are set to stay. According to scheduling app Doodle, March 2020 saw a 43% increase in the number of remote meetings over the previous month. That means remote HR consultants are also set to stay and become a permanent fixture in the business world. Common HR Consulting Topics HR consultants are highly versatile professionals. Their role varies heavily, with the most highly valued consultants being able to pivot themselves to address a wide range of business needs. HR consultants are often tasked with helping management with the administration of HR policy and procedure. They may serve as temporary internal consultants and analyze a company’s current regulations. Consultants may also be used to ensure that a business is complying with relevant state and federal employment regulations. This can extend to compensation, workplace safety and employee grievance resolution. Some HR consultants are employed to deliver a more hands-on approach. They may deliver training sessions to in-house HR professionals, whether remotely or in-person. These are the most common areas an HR consultant may be brought in to address. Experienced HR consultants are flexible and adaptable to help organizations achieve their goals. Microaggressions in the Workplace As concerns over injustice and inequality have taken prominence, consumers are increasingly looking at companies and their own records on microaggressions. HR consultants can revolutionize how companies approach incidents of this nature. Whether it be implementing specific policies to address such incidents or encouraging a company to increase its diversity, consultants can prevent microaggressions in the workplace environment. Workplace Safety Issues According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured on the job every 7 seconds. Employee safety issues can cost companies hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits, lead to lost productivity and may evolve into a PR disaster. HR consultants are there to educate and take action. Upper management may not be aware of existing issues or know how to deal with them. This is where a professional consultant can come in and ensure appropriate procedures are implemented to deal with and prevent such issues. Bullying And Gossip Workplace bullying and gossip are more common than many think, whether intentional or unintentional. A number of industries have experienced significant disruption in workflow for several years due to bullying and gossip. What has become clear is that bullying and gossip have evolved with the ever-changing work environment. With more organizations shifting communication toward messaging software, companies need to take questionable messages seriously. HR consultants may help with the creation of internal bullying and gossip policies, prepare education sessions for employees and point out when new, more diverse hires are needed to address the issue. An HR consultant can help organizations handle bullying and gossip by improving employee morale and enabling a safer workplace. They can also create an environment where individuals who have been targeted can express themselves and know that their complaints will be taken seriously. Reach Out To An Experienced Remote HR Consulting Firm Not all companies can afford an in-house HR department, but that does not diminish the importance of a Human Resource Department to ensure that the day-to-day running of the company promotes employee productivity, a safe working environment and high morale among the workforce. Remote HR consultants can have a tremendous impact on a company. Their independent nature means they are not bound or influenced by organizational politics. They are also able to conduct their work from “outside the bubble”. HR consultants working remotely have the capacity to initiate major internal transformations. To change your business for the better and get a fresh new perspective on HR, reach out to the HR experts at HR Search & Rescue now.
