As a business owner, you know the importance of making sound decisions for you, your company and your people.
HR is one of those areas where you can’t get it wrong.
Because if you do, it could cost you thousands of pounds in employee claims.
Just take a look at the average figures awarded at Employment Tribunals:
• Unfair Dismissal: The average award was approximately £13,541.
• Age Discrimination: Average award of £18,623.
• Sex Discrimination: Average award of £24,630.
• Race Discrimination: Average award of £17,030.
• Disability Discrimination: Average award of £28,371.
• Religion or Belief Discrimination: Average award of £22,641.
• Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Average award of £35,205.
• Breach of Contract: The average award was around £13,000.
These figures are taken from the most recent reports from the UK government’s Ministry of Justice, which publishes annual statistics on Employment Tribunals.
Where should you get HR advice from?
That’s why getting HR advice from an expert HR consultant is really important.
They’ll be able to use their cross-industry experience to provide you with the best possible advice in the best interests of your business.
Where shouldn’t you get HR advice from?
Online Searches
The internet is filled with information, but it’s not all reliable. Relying on quick online searches for HR advice is risky because:
• Outdated Information – Employment laws and regulations change frequently. What you find online might be outdated and no longer applicable.
• Too General – Online articles often provide broad advice that doesn’t address the unique complexities of your business.
• Unverified Sources – Many online sources lack proper verification and accountability, leading to potential misinformation.
Inexperienced Employees
Turning to internal staff for HR advice might seem convenient, but it can be a costly mistake:
• Lack of Training – Employees need proper HR training to provide correct or complete guidance.
• Burden and Bias – Tasking an inexperienced employee with HR responsibilities can overwhelm them, leading to poor decision-making.
• Legal Risks – Misguided advice from unqualified personnel can lead to compliance breaches and legal issues.
HR Call Centres
HR call centres are often marketed as convenient solutions, but they fall short when it comes to tailored strategic advice:
• Generic Guidance – Call centres typically offer one-size-fits-all advice that doesn’t consider the unique needs of your business.
• Employee-Centric Focus – The advice usually focuses on employee rights rather than aligning with your strategic business goals.
• Lack of Depth – Call centre representatives often need more strategic insight for complex HR decisions.
Social Media
Social media can be a great place to share ideas, but it’s not a reliable source for HR advice:
• Anonymous Opinions – Social media platforms are filled with anonymous users who may need more qualifications or experience to provide accurate HR guidance.
• Unverified Information – The advice on social media is often unverified and can be based on personal opinions rather than professional standards.
• Lack of Accountability – There’s no accountability for advice shared online, making it dangerous to rely on for critical business decisions.
AI/Chat GPT
While AI tools like Chat GPT can be helpful for general queries, they’re not suitable for nuanced HR issues:
• Lacks Human Touch – AI needs more empathy and understanding to handle sensitive HR matters effectively.
• Limited Context – AI provides answers based on available data, but may miss the broader context of your unique situation.
• No Legal Assurance – AI-generated advice doesn’t come with the legal assurances and strategic insight a professional consultant provides.
Get in touch today and ensure your business is protected with expert HR guidance.