Public Sector HR Podcast

There has been much debate about the future of the HR Function and the role of HR Leaders. This month I talk to Peter Reilly, Director of HR Research and Consultancy at the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), to find out his views on this topic.

To listen to the podcast, click the grey arrow below.

Peter shares with us what he believes the challenges are for HR Leaders, particularly those in the public sector and how they can best add value to their organisations.

His advice is:

• PERSUADE THE ORGANISATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE MANAGEMENT TO ORGANASATIONAL SUCCESS AND DECIDE WHAT ROLE HR CAN PLAY IN ACHIEVING THAT OBJECTIVE

• BE WELL ATTUNED TO THE ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY AND ISSUES

• ALIGN, WHAT THE FUNCTION IS TRYING TO DO, WITH THE ORGASATIONAL NEEDS, IN ORDER TO SOLVE REAL BUSINESS PROBLEMS

• THINK OVER A LONGER TIME HORIZON AND BE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

• INTERNALLY, BE INNOVATIVE IN THE WAY THE FUNCTION POSITIONS ITSELF

• BE ABLE TO MEASURE WHERE THE FUNCTION IS BEING EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE

• HR LEADERS SHOULD ACT AS ‘HEAD OF PROFESSION’ AND PROVIDE FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TO THE TEAM

• CONTINUE TO DO THE BASICS WELL

He also tells us more about an exciting new joint initiative he is working on with the IDeA and the PPMA, which will provide a self assessment tool for HR Leaders to both benchmark and develop their skills.

You can find out more about how to get involved with this project, by contacting Kelly Sandiford at the IDeA on 07766 115104 or email her at kelly.sandiford@idea.gov.uk or Marcia Hazzard on 07867 514753  or via email at marcia.hazzard@idea.gov.uk

To find out more about Peter’s work, you can contact him via email at peter.reilly@employment-studies.co.uk or call him on 07771 932993.

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I would love to hear your feedback and any suggestions for further shows. Either email me directly at karen@publicsectorhrpodcast.co.uk or click on ‘Comment’ underneath the show title and type away.