Moving to a standalone HR role from a big corporate HR team...

Hi Charlie, I'm in a standalone role incorporating HR & Recruitment. I also have an L&D partner so we have teamed up to share our knowledge in each of our workstreams. There are a couple of useful groups on Facebook if you don't already follow them. The HR Ninja's & HR Independents (who have standalone's as part of the group). They are a great sounding board.

Hello Charlie
I have moved from a public sector organisation leading a team of 50+ to being the stand alone in a SME 6 months ago. Absolute eye opener, but as others have said. Wouldn't change it for the world. Different issues then public sector but my experience has helped me settled in. I peruse the CIPD forum alot and ACAS as well. I've got the company to invest in CIPD-HR which is a great help. Also I have used my HR network to speak to if I get stuck or need a sounding board.
Good Luck

I did it several years ago - I always wanted that independence of a stand alone role. I really love it and it was worth the jump. You have to be very decisive and resilient as its mostly your decision. I have a very good CEO who I report into and you need a good team of managers also who support you who you can discuss things with as there is no longer the chance to do this with other HR buddies. (One thing I slightly miss). If in doubt - go for it - best decision I ever made. I would struggle to go back. I also went SME and I really love that too. Good luck. Oh yes and I do get all that lovely admin that goes with it. Its totally great though to make those decisions.

Hi Charlie

I'm one of the few it looks like that's regretting taking that leap I really wish I could say i was loving the move.
I moved from corporate to a stand alone HR around 3 months ago. And I echo the fact that having no sounding board to vent to is proving difficult when I just need to check I'm not going crazy with advice I've given.
I've found a very very long list with the SMT where they are breaching nearly every day without a care in the world and when its been raised with the MD that the SMT are doing something they shouldn't be its simply brushed under the carpet.But unfortunately the SMT will quite happily bring the storm to me when its already hit the fan.
However this isn't to say its not the right thing for you to do.. but I think I may have just been sold a dream which maybe is a nightmare! haha!

Good Luck I hope everything works out for you :)

How are you all coping with managing your staff through coronavirus? What are your challenges?