Fri, 1 Apr 2011

In-house HR experts in decline

Only one seventh of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have an HR expert inhouse, according to research.

Sage surveyed more than 1,500 SME customers who said that constant changes to employment legislation are leaving them ill-informed. Less than a quarter thought the Government provided enough advice for those starting a business, with only 14% saying Government information was reliable. Two fifths preferred to trust online information.

Paul Tooth, head of Sage UK’s HR and payroll unit, warned that businesses were taking a risk by not investing in sound HR advice. ‘It can be challenging even for HR professionals to find a path through the ever-growing jungle of UK employment law,’ he said. ‘Businesses can’t afford to ignore legal and people issues, but it can be difficult to justify bringing in more expertise if it ties you to a lengthy contract in the current economic climate.