Undervaluing the HR profession could cost employers talent, according to experts.
Analysis of new data has found that HR was the third-lowest performing sector for salary increases last year - even though the pandemic has increased awareness of good people management.
The new research - conducted by Reed and outlined in their Human Resources Salary Guide 2021 - has revealed that last year average salaries within the HR sector only grew by 1.9 per cent, which was lower than the UK average salary growth at 2.32 per cent.
Compared to other years, in 2020 Reed advertised HR jobs with a salary that documented a 1.9 per cent growth in their salaries, rising from £46,355 in 2019 to £47,220 in 2020.
Despite the crucial role that HR played during the crisis, salary growth was lower than the UK average - with the three largest salary increases being training managers with a 9.9 per cent increase; HR directors with a 7.2 per cent increase and health & safety managers with a 4.8 per cent increase.
Bukola Odofin - Reed Human Resources Expert - said:
“HR professionals have faced multiple challenges over the past year. The rapid roll-out of remote working, the increased need for employers to consider employee wellbeing, redundancies, pay cuts and the government furlough scheme are only a few of the issues those in the sector have faced. 2021 will continue to be challenging, but with a vaccine rollout planned, and the job market remaining steady, things are looking up for the profession. The enforced move to remote working has meant that companies across the UK have had to adapt fast. This rapid futureproofing of the workforce has been problematic but has set businesses in good stead for the future. It also means it’s vital for businesses to attract HR talent to continue to manage workforce change and employee wellbeing.”
An additional poll of 124 professionals also found that 41 per cent stated that they had to do much more than their job role specified.
Charles Cotton - Senior Reward and Performance Adviser at the CIPD - said that HR people would be surprised by the findings.
He stated:
“While awareness within business and society of the critical importance of good people management has increased as a result of the pandemic, this doesn’t appear to have translated into higher pay.”
Of the HR respondents to the poll, 45 per cent stated that they either knew or felt that they could improve their salary by changing jobs. Bukola Odofin stated that this should be a concern to employers.
She remarked:
“There is a real opportunity for employers looking to attract HR talent to manage workforce change and strengthen their businesses. It has never been more important that HR professionals, whether in or out of work, continue to hone their skills – setting them apart from the competition.”
She added:
“The enforced move to remote working has meant companies across the UK have had to adapt fast. This rapid future proofing of the workforce has been problematic but has set businesses in good stead for the future. It also means it’s vital for businesses to attract HR talent to continue to manage workforce change and employee wellbeing.”
