UK HR functions have added more value to their businesses during the recession than their international counterparts, a survey suggests.
The International Human Resources Barometer study, by HR consultancy firm The Scala Group and international law firm Salans, found that nearly two thirds (59%) of respondents in UK companies felt that HR had helped to combat the recession by developing effective business strategies, compared with only 38% of those outside the UK.
The poll of more than 550 senior HR management professionals across 17 countries also revealed that 80% of large UK companies had included their HR functions when undertaking top-level strategic planning. This compared to just 62% of firms internationally.
Barry Mordsley, global co-head of the employment group at Salans, said: “The results of the survey reflect what I see in my UK practice. Especially in larger corporations, the HR function is very sophisticated and at the centre of business strategy decisions, rather than being the afterthought as it once was, say 15 years ago.”
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The findings came as another poll, seen by Personnel Today, of more than 900 managers by business school Roffey Park, reported that HR’s influence and credibility had shot up during the recession.
According to Roffey Park’s findings, out today, more than two-thirds felt their HR function had added value to the business and was influential – a year ago a similar survey found just 30% of managers felt HR had added value.
