4 Resources every HR professional needs to know about

Human resources (HR) professionals have a wide range of incredibly important duties. From recruitment to regulatory compliance, in order to carry out these responsibilities effectively, HR professionals need access to a variety of useful tools and resources. Here, we go through four resources that we believe every HR professional needs to know about

1. ACAS

First up, we’ve got ACAS. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS for short) is an independent organisation funded by the UK government. ACAS provides free, impartial advice to employers on workplace issues including employment law, discipline and grievance procedures, and dispute resolution. HR professionals can access a wide range of resources on the ACAS website, including templates for policies and best practice guides on areas such as recruitment.

ACAS also provides mediation services to help resolve workplace disputes. For example, if necessary, ACAS can provide an independent mediator to help facilitate a discussion between parties involved in a workplace conflict – great for when things have the potential to get out of hand.

2.  Professional education providers

People management professionals are perhaps more aware than anyone else of the need for ongoing skill development, and those working in HR aren’t exempt from that requirement. HR professionals should look into professional education providers such as StaySharp, who offer CIPD courses and other professional development resources that can help you adapt your skills to fit a rapidly evolving workplace. 

These courses can often be taken while still working, allowing you to further your professional toolkit without having to take significant time away from work.

3. CIPD

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for HR and people development in the UK. They provide a range of resources to support HR professionals in their work, including research, training, and networking opportunities.

CIPD’s membership provides access to a wide variety of useful resources, including templates for various HR policies, information sheets on employment law, and benchmarking reports on HR practices. HR professionals can also access training courses, as well as events on topics such as employee engagement and leadership development.

CIPD also offers a range of professional qualifications, including the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management, and the CIPD Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management.

4. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is a UK government agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws, but they’re also a useful resource for those in HR. HR professionals need to comply with various tax regulations when managing an organisation’s workforce, such as national insurance contributions, income tax, and any necessary benefits.

HR professionals need to be aware of the changes to tax and employment law in the UK. The HMRC website provides updates on changes to tax rates, allowances, and thresholds, and HR professionals can sign up to receive email alerts on changes to tax law.

These are just a few of the many resources that HR professionals in the UK need to access, in order to manage their organisations’ workforces effectively and in compliance with legal frameworks. ACAS, StaySharp, CIPD, and HMRC provide free and paid resources to support HR professionals in their work; by accessing these resources, HR professionals can stay current with the latest trends and best practices in their field, ensuring compliance with all the necessary regulations.

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