You Can Hire Your Own Personal HR Department

If you’ve worked for a company large enough to have an HR department, you’ve probably been told that HR is not your friend . These departments exist to protect the company, and while they can certainly be a helpful resource for employees, they only help you if the company’s interests align with that goal.

Many of us will only interact with HR in negative ways—when we get fired or fired , when we have problems with co-workers or bosses , or when we suddenly realize that our personal lives can absolutely impact our professional lives. That’s why more than a third of U.S. workers surveyed don’t trust the HR department at their workplace. Despite this, many people turn to their HR departments when they have problems. People who work in HR may legitimately want to help you and solve your problem, but regardless of their intentions, they will always be limited by their role in the company.

If you feel like you can’t trust HR to inform you of your options, advocate for you, or take your complaints about a boss or co-worker seriously, you may need to hire your own HR department to do it for you.

Independent HR consultants work for you

Independent HR consultants are individuals or companies who do all the work that a company’s HR department does, but are hired directly by the employee. They usually offer a range of services including:

• Offer negotiations. If you’ve received a job offer, an independent HR consultant can help you get the best package.

• Planning for resignation or termination. An independent human resources consultant can help you understand how to proceed when leaving your job to maximize your benefits, or how to ensure maximum severance pay when leaving your job.

• Performance coaching. Your company’s HR department is not there to help you build your career . If you are frustrated with a promotion, raise or professional development, or have been assigned to any performance improvement plan (PIP), an HR consultant can help you achieve a successful outcome.

• Solving work issues. A counselor can advise you of your rights and applicable laws in the event of harassment, personal conflicts with co-workers, or lack of promotion that appears to be intentional.

• Documentation and correspondence. Independent HR consultants can help you draft letters, emails and memos covering all aspects of your career and work experience, from asking for a pay rise to filing complaints.

How much does an independent HR consultant cost?

Independent HR consultants don’t have to be prohibitively expensive, depending on your budget. For example, Caged Bird HR is one such service that charges just $99 for an initial introductory call during which you can outline your concerns and receive guidance regarding your rights and what you can do to resolve your situation.

You can then hire them for as little as one week or for several months depending on your needs. Packages start at $350 per week, $1,500 per month and $2,700 for three months, each including a specified number of consulting hours. It’s no small feat, but given that you’ll likely be contacting us in situations that could have a significant impact on your employment, if not career, it may be worth it.

When to choose an independent HR consultant

You don’t have to hire or hire an HR consultant to handle basic HR tasks like planning vacations or using your benefits package. But these consultants can come into play any time you find yourself in conflict with your employer, because the HR professionals working in your organization are ready to resolve the problem in ways that protect the company, and not necessarily you.

Consider hiring an independent HR consultant if:

• You need relevant knowledge. A consultant can help you any time you need to understand relevant laws, company policies, contract terms, or available benefits and resources. Your company’s HR department may not always be able to inform you of all available options. For example, this Guardian article mentions one woman suffering from stress at work, whose HR department did not inform her of the possibility of taking time off – the independent HR consultant she hired did.

• You need guidance. If you are unsure how to formulate a request, complaint or response (for example, to a bad review), a consultant can help you develop language that protects your interests and is consistent with company policy.

• The stakes are high. If you are in any situation that may affect your employment status or salary, an independent consultant can help you understand internal processes, legal implications and other issues while maintaining confidentiality.

It’s important to remember that you can use the services of an HR consultant and not take any action – sometimes simply understanding your situation a little better, being able to voice your opinion, or having your suspicions confirmed about what’s going on in the office can help you cope with difficult tasks. times at your job. An independent HR consultant may be the ideal person to talk to because nothing you say will end up on your file at work.

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