Importance of employee relations in generalist career development - Working in HR/L - Careers Clinic

3 Importance of employee relations in generalist career development

18 Nov, 2019 15:35

Career planning dilemma

I have been doing HR for about 4-5 years but my both roles were in SMEs whith only few ER issues. I did some strategic work with the senior management, reviewed the policies an processes, developed and implemented new systems but had maybe two dismisals and a couple of performance mangement processes. I know how to deal with it in theory (I have Level 7 diploma) but practice is not something I managed to get. Should I see it as a priority in my self-development?

Ideally, I would like to move away from SMEs into mid-large business as I am no longer keen on standalone role. ER does not particularly interest me but I am not sure if the lack of experience in this field would not hold me back as I am not sure if I can call myself a true generalist. I don't think could not call myself a specialist either.

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Keith | 0 Posts

19 Nov, 2019 08:55

There are people who make very successful carers in HR without any great ER experience. Many T&D or C&B people have little or no real ER experience so it may rather depend on where you want your career to go.

However if you have aspirations to be a HRBP or even to aspire to senior generalist roles then a good understanding of employment law and some ER experience is likely to be invaluable. You don't want the first time you deal with a complicated dismissal / settlement agreement to be with a Director.
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Ray | 0 Posts

19 Nov, 2019 09:01

Hi, a career in HR is entirely possible without ER experience - typically in speciality roles (recruitment, development, comp and ben, HRIS etc. In my 40 year career I have never had an ER role, having chosen to specialise in c&b.
In smaller companies ER is often a line management pre-rogative, as you have seen. As companies get bigger, staff become organised and collective representation is always present in larger companies. This means generalist jobs in these environments, will usually call for ER experience or a willingness to learn it.
What puts you off undertaking an ER role?
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Gintare Jagelaviciute | 0 Posts

19 Nov, 2019 09:48

In reply to Ray:
Thank you, Ray! It's not that it puts me off, I simply don't have enough exposure to it. If I went for the role where I would have it, I am not sure I would get it without having to get a step back. If I was to specialise, I would be interested in L&D or project delivery but I am not sure if my experience in SME would be very valuable in bigger businesses where this sort of specialisation is possible. To be honest, I feel stuck at this stage...
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