• Replies 31 replies
  • Subscribers 2 subscribers
  • Views 6835 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related

Part time HR

Nicola

Good morning,

I hope you’re all well.

I feel the need to express my frustration with the lack of stimulating part time HR roles on offer. 

Considering the fact our profession promotes the importance of offering flexible work patterns, there are very few part time HR positions around. Perhaps this is only a regional issue, but for the last few years I have seen very few HR roles on job boards.

It seems it’s full time or put up with a mixed role - finance/hr/payroll/general admin. I don’t want to wish my children’s lives away just so I can return full time. I don’t see why that should be the only option. 

Perhaps this is just an issue where I live. Maybe I’m looking on the wrong websites. I’m close to completing my level 5 Diploma and have starting to question my choice of career.

Anyone else feel this way? Any words of wisdom? Struggling to find the motivation to complete the course.

Thanks. 

Kind regards,

Nicola

Parents
  • Hi Nicola
    I'm a senior HR practitioner with over 30 years qualified experience and can sympathise with your frustrations and can relate very well to Fiona's experiences!
    I have recently put my toe back into the job market (using some of the sources Fiona mentions) and have found that the SME sector seems to be the way to go if you don't mind a stand-alone role. This sector recognises that it's growth (or future plans for growth) demands a dedicated and knowledgeable HR function; in recruiting part-time, they can attract experienced and qualified professionals they wouldn't be able to afford full-time. How you tap into this, I'm not sure, but don't give up!
    However, the stand-alone role may not be the one for you - I've been doing it for over 10 years following a career in the corporate world - it's very rewarding, great for your personal development but can be lonely....
Reply
  • Hi Nicola
    I'm a senior HR practitioner with over 30 years qualified experience and can sympathise with your frustrations and can relate very well to Fiona's experiences!
    I have recently put my toe back into the job market (using some of the sources Fiona mentions) and have found that the SME sector seems to be the way to go if you don't mind a stand-alone role. This sector recognises that it's growth (or future plans for growth) demands a dedicated and knowledgeable HR function; in recruiting part-time, they can attract experienced and qualified professionals they wouldn't be able to afford full-time. How you tap into this, I'm not sure, but don't give up!
    However, the stand-alone role may not be the one for you - I've been doing it for over 10 years following a career in the corporate world - it's very rewarding, great for your personal development but can be lonely....
Children
  • in reply to Nikki Baines
    I have had exactly the same experience after 20 years in the corporate world. I now have a great role, part time, as Head of HR for an amazing SME who had grown to the point of needing a dedicated HR person but couldn't justify a full time role. I am passionate about flexible working and believe that as HR professionals we should be role models for this. One option is to approach some dedicated HR recruiters and enlist their help in approaching smaller companies that they work with. Some companies won't have considered employing someone part time yet are paying large amounts of money to employment lawyers to handle very straightforward people issues and provide documentation for them. Please don't give up - it is a great profession and those roles are out there. Best of luck to you.
  • in reply to Nikki Baines
    Thanks for your reply, Nikki. I am currently working for a SME. I struggle with being left to my own devices with no guidance from senior managers. I was taken on as an Administrator, but I have been left to get on with managing difficult ER cases.
    I have only worked in HR for a short while and feel quite burnt out by the lack of support. I thought perhaps a smaller role in a larger company would be the way forward for me, but I am struggling to find this type of position. Fingers crossed something will turn up soon!
  • in reply to Jenny
    Thanks for taking the time to reply, Jenny. I will have a chat with our local agencies to see if they can keep an eye out for me.
  • in reply to Nicola
    This sounds exactly like my situation Nicola! I was taken on as a HR Administrator for a SME, then the HR Manager left and now it's just me, dealing with things that are way out of my previous experience. It's a great opportunity but so lonely and scary!