Human resources consultants are third party, independent professionals who assist employers with the development and application of human resource (HR) objectives. The services that they provide range considerably in scope. Generally speaking, human resources consultants conduct various assessment reviews in order to provide recommendations as to the best methods of meeting management goals. For example, in terms of productivity goals, this may involve analyzing employee performance metrics, developing a system of best practices, productivity enhancement programs, and corrective action policies. However, it could be said that the most significant contribution human resources consultants make to an organization is paving the path toward realizing long-term benefits based on an ideal day-to-day operations model.
Of course, human resources consultants work closely alongside existing HR support staff in the company or organization, most notably the HR Assistant or Generalist and the HR Manager. However, large companies and organizations may have several different human resources departments that focus on specific issues, which are usually managed collectively by an HR Director. In these cases, a consultant may be obtained for each department.
In terms of dispute and conflict resolution, human resources consultants can provide an invaluable service. For instance, these professionals are qualified to serve in an advisory capacity since they are intimately familiar with current labor laws, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) standards, occupational health and safety regulations, and all of the polices and procedures that govern them. As such, they are able to monitor management practices to ensure that compliance with all federal, state, and local laws is maintained. This is essential not only to avoid the legal ramifications of violating such laws and regulations, but also to promote a conflict and hazard-free working environment for both management and employees.
In addition to any prerequisite training and coursework in the general principles of employment practices required by an outsourcing agency, human resources consultants are expected to periodically attend intake courses and seminars in order to stay current with labor laws and regulations. They also receive specific training in other employment-related areas, such as how to identify the potential for workplace violence and substance abuse among employees, as well as how to address these issues through preventative measures and appropriate disciplinary actions. Successful human resources consultants also possess exceptional interpersonal skills since they are often called upon to investigate employee grievances and mediate terminations. In addition, human resources consultants must demonstrate the ability to effectively manage individuals and teams, as well as a talent for fostering leadership qualities in others.
