More SMEs choosing to hire HR professionals

The number of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that are choosing to hire qualified HR professionals is on the rise, according to the latest figures.

They show a rise of 9.9% in the number of accounting and HR professionals who were hired during February. Meanwhile, their wages went up by 16.4% during the same period. The figures come from the new jobs report published by the payroll, recruitment and HR software firm Employment Hero. This company drew on employee records data taken from more than 130 smaller accountancy and HR firms for its findings.

When it comes to what is driving this trend, the likeliest explanation is the Employment Rights Act. This is bringing major changes for SMEs and they are turning to people with expertise across specialist areas to help them manage it. This is one of the biggest benefits outsourced HR services in Northampton offer such firms.

The report indicates it is more than just a blip too, as January also brought an increase. During that month, there was a rise of 7.1% in HR hiring in comparison with the month before.

Kevin Fitzgerald is the Employment Hero UK managing director. He told Personnel Today there was clear evidence of spiking demand for HR professionals among SMEs. He then added:

“With the Employment Rights Act on the horizon, many small businesses are choosing to strengthen their HR capability rather than risk falling behind on compliance.”

This is sensible, because the act will mean changes to everything from parental leave to statutory sick pay rights.