Should I… hire an HR manager?

Posted by: Roger Pio Tuesday, 26 March 2013 11:34 AM[UAE] - Jordan

On average every 40-50 employees or so in any organisation will need one HR person to administer . You start with a generalist and then when the enterprise grows you need to beef up the HR departnment with specialists and install a system in place. When the organisation is small, the owner of the business or CEO does the HR job with the help of his PA. When the enterprise grows he must hire a professional and hand him full authority of the HR function. Unfortunately in certain cultures like the Arab world CEOs keep interfering and influencing HR decisions no mater the size of the enterprise has become. Such interfenence creates grey areas where it becomes difficult for HR professionals to operate properly.

Posted by: Jonathan Smith Wednesday, 6 February 2013 2:35 PM[UAE] - Switzerland

Yes - attention to effective administration is needed, but where the real VALUE-ADD comes is in bringing professional attention to questions of high people performance. As any organisation grows or adapts it is easy to give inadequate attention to people issues. A champion for good communication, leadership, staff development and motivation will ensure sustained commercial results through the precious human "capital". This person can partner (not take over from) each manager in the business to coach and guide, from CEO down, and ensure that these questions are addressed well, and the organisation retains a positive dynamic team and corporate community life.

This should in my opinion include partnership in recruitment, where a true HR professional can bring insights and tools to optimise that process too. Much as I agree that the line manager needs to be fully involved, and take full ownership of the decision, and subsequent people management of their own staff.

Posted by: Jim Gilchrist Tuesday, 5 February 2013 8:50 AM[UAE] - Canada

Small business will typically initially hire a generalist than can handle a number of HR related administrative functions and outsource specific activities - like recruitment- to specialist companies.

In hiring an HR person it is like any other role in that - a good one will help you and a bad one will hurt you. So hire carefully.