Human Resources is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the business planning and strategy of companies across the UK, notably more so during the global recession.
The recent International Human Resources (“HR”) Barometer survey, polling over 550 senior HR management professionals across 17 countries, conducted by The Scala Group, The ACE Network and supported by international law firm Salans, showed that 62% of UK companies include the HR function when undertaking top-level strategic planning. This figure rises to 80% in UK companies with more than 7500 employees.
The survey also showed that 59% of respondents in UK companies felt that the HR function had contributed to the development of effective business strategies to tackle the recession, compared to only 38% of respondents outside the UK.
Janice Caplan, Founding Partner of The Scala Group, added, “It is pleasing to see such progress in integrating HR into key decisions. People really are our key resource, increasingly so in a ‘knowledge economy’ and a rapidly-changing world. Having continuous involvement of HR in strategic decisions will ensure organisations optimise those capabilities. I believe this really does herald the development of a wider talent management approach.”
Barry Mordsley, Global Co-Head of the Employment Group at Salans, comments, “The results of the survey reflect what I see in my UK practice. Especially in larger corporations, the HR function is very sophisticated and at the centre of business strategy decisions, rather than being the afterthought as it once was, say, 15 years ago.”
As part of 750 lawyers globally operating across 21 offices, Salans’ Global Employment Group provides advice and training to a range of clients from small enterprises to multinational groups and their subsidiaries in all aspects of employment law including: restructuring and redundancy, litigation, employee benefits, employment compliance audits, employment practices, disciplinary and grievance procedures and issues, discrimination, employeecompetition and confidentiality policies, expatriate immigration and visas.
Information about the International HR Barometer Survey
The International HR Barometer Survey attracted 559 responses from senior HR management professionals across 17 countries, and was organised and conducted by The Scala Group and The ACE Network, and supported by the London Employment Group at international law firm Salans. The aim of the survey was to assess the effects of the global economic recession on employers, and the strategies used by them to prepare for the economic recovery. Full copies of the Report are available by contacting Kimberley Turner at Salans on 0207 429 6218 or Janice Caplan of The Scala Group on 07930 524457.
Information about The Scala Group
Scala is a UK based HR consultancy, operating internationally, and specialising in Talent and Organization Development. See
www.thescalagroup.co.uk
for further information.
Contacts
Barry Mordsley
Partner - London
E: bmordsley@salans.com
T: +44 20 7429 6000
Janice Caplan
Founding Partner – The SCALA Group
E: janice@thescalagroup.co.uk
T: +44 7930 5244457