HR
professionals with jobs described as ‘human resources’ get paid, on average, 10
per cent more than their ‘personnel’ counterparts, according to new research.
The
Hay Group management consultancy studied the job titles, job levels and salaries
of almost 10,000 HR/personnel employees in more than 400 UK
organisations, and found strong correlations between professional title,
industry sector and pay.
Hay
Group consultant Ben Frost said: "Across many organisations, a ‘personnel’
function is largely an administrative one, designed to be primarily reactive to
the needs of the business. But many HR functions are specifically designed to
be proactive contributors to the overall strategic goals of a business, and are
therefore rewarded as such."
However,
recruitment experts said the job requirement, rather than
title, is now the most important factor for HR professionals seeking new
employment.
"The
jargon generally depends on the sector," said Tina Suttle-Smith,
manager at recruitment firm Executive Performance. "Clients are more
interested in what is required for a job."
For
example, she said, the title of ‘HR director’ is no longer the be all and end
all for HR professionals, with the seniority of the role the key factor.
Suttle-Smith pointed to a large UK
retailer which is advertising for regional training and HR managers. "In
one area, the salary is £65,000, but in another region it may be as low as
£35,000 – proving that the title isn’t everything."
And Frost’s advice to those looking for a new challenge?
"When it comes to finding that next job, look for an ‘HR’ rather than a
‘Personnel’ role," he said.
Public admission
Of
the 120 organisations studied that call their departments ‘Personnel’, 62 per
cent were either in the public sector now or were until recently.
These
included 28 local councils, 13 NHS Trusts, nine police authorities, six
universities and eight organisations that have been privatised in the past 20
years.
In
contrast, of the 305 organisations who call their departments ‘Human Resources’
80 per cent were in the private sector.
