Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 20 May
May 20, 2022
As I write my Friday Message I reflect on the fact that today is International HR Day. Who even knew there was an International HR Day? I certainly didn’t. But there is and, in keeping with the spirit of reflecting on International Day of the Midwife and International Day of the Nurse last week, I reflect on why good HR management is important in any large organisation.
HR stands for Human Resources. When I started in the NHS they were known as “the personnel Department” and had a limited scope. Times have changed. We call our HR service in SWB the People & Organisation Development team. Led by Frieza Mahmood, our Chief People Officer, the team provide a range of support and interventions across the whole employee life cycle, from recruitment and induction, through to policy development and advice to line managers and employees, to retention and personal development, through to resignation and retirement. In addition, our People & OD team have the added challenge of helping us to recruit the new roles we need to open the “Midland Met” successfully, as well as manage the change and consultation process for those of who whose roles and workplace is going to shift radically, once the new hospital opens.
So, they provide a vital service. One which is often overlooked, often criticised. This is because there is nothing more deeply held than the connection of an employee to an organisation, the vehicle that provides them with their means of earning a living. The vehicle which will successfully or not, make a colleague feel engaged and valued.
So why is our People & OD service important?
- They monitor the culture of the organisation and of teams within the Trust. Whilst we all own the culture of our Trust, our People team monitor it and draw conclusions about how to improve it
- They own the talent management and succession planning methods we deploy
- They deliver the recruitment function. The nuances of this process, making sure it is inclusive, fair and transparent, is essential to our values
- They research and help us to implement innovative ways of both engaging and developing staff, to help retain the talent we have in a competitive and stretched clinical workforce market
- They lead on team building and other cultural interventions that help “nip in the bud” deteriorating atmospheres or cultures in departments
- They coach managers and advocate for staff in the employee relations process
- They keep me out of jail by ensuring I comply with employment law
Friday 20th May is International HR Day. We would be lost without them.
Have a good week.
Richard