Why HR training is so important

Small and medium enterprises are the economic backbone of the UK. Driving innovation, creating jobs, supporting local communities – if you’re an SME founder or manager pat yourself on the back for doing an incredible job in often very tough circumstances!

When every day is a whirlwind of operational demands, one crucial thing can get overlooked and that’s HR training. In small businesses, the responsibility for HR can often fall to the owner/founder or a manager. Very often their expertise lies elsewhere and when it comes to recruiting, dismissals and everything in between, they can feel underqualified and overwhelmed.

Investing in HR training for your team is vital for sustainable growth, avoiding any costly employment tribunals and the long-term success of your business.

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Understanding the unique HR challenges for SMEs

Unlike a large corporate, SMEs often operate with lean teams, limited resources and a lot of managers wearing multiple hats! Juggling operational tasks, client relationships and team management can be hectic, not to mention keeping track of the evolving legal framework which covers everything from data protection to workplace safety.

People management can have the most profound impact on business outcomes, culture and compliance, yet often it’s the area that is given the least amount of structured training. When it comes to employment law regulations, ignorance is unfortunately no defence in the eyes of the law. Mistakes can be costly, both financially and reputationally.

The key benefits of HR training:

·      Legal compliance

·      Mitigating risks of tribunal claims, fines and reputational damage

·      Giving your teams the confidence to manage things such as recruitment, appraisals, grievances and dismissals correctly and effectively.

·      Enhancing employee engagement

·      Upskilling your workforce, leading to better job satisfaction and retention

·      Creation of a positive organisational culture

·      Boosting productivity and performance

·      Building competent, resilient and empowered teams

·      Resolving conflicts quickly and effectively

·      Effective recruitment – making the right hire first time – saving time, increasing compliance and reducing costs.

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Investing in HR training is not a box-ticking exercise. The benefits stretch across all areas of your business from culture to competitive advantage.

In a world where people are a business’ greatest asset, HR training for managers is not just important, it’s indispensable.