HR's Boardroom Misconception
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HR professionals misjudge their own board representation
A survey by skills management expert InfoBasis has uncovered a widespread misconception about the influence that human resources departments exert on the board.
The recent poll showed that 85 per cent of HR professionals believe that they are represented at board level in their organisation. This is in stark contrast to workers outside HR, of whom just 55 per cent believe that HR is represented at the boardroom table.
According to DLA's 2005 HR Performance Indicator Survey, however, the correct figure for HR representation at board level across UK companies is closer to the non-HR estimate: just 60 per cent.
"It's encouraging to see that HR professionals have become aware of the importance of being at the forefront of corporate policy creation," said Ashley Wheaton, CEO of InfoBasis. "What is frustrating is that so many appear to consider this mountain already climbed, when there is a still a huge amount of work to be done."
"Thanks to new technology, HR departments can now access the data they need to offer highly strategic insight into areas of interest to the board, such as capability, performance and critical skills shortfalls," added Wheaton. "With 60 per cent of an organisation's costs directly tied up in its people, every business should be delighted to welcome an obligatory HR representative onto the board. However, we should be wary of believing, that this has already happened."
This survey was conducted of 318 HR managers taken at the recent CIPD conference.
About InfoBasis (www.infobasis.com)
InfoBasis, a leading provider of skills management technology, enables organisations to better assess, develop and deploy their most important asset - their people. The InfoBasis Enterprise Skills Infrastructure(TM) platform (InfoBasis ESI) enables effective skills management, from strategic workforce asset planning and resource deployment to learning delivery. Used by Microsoft, the British Army and the British Computer Society as the platform for their human capital management services, InfoBasis ESI is uniquely configurable. Effective skills management benefits include: increased staff retention, more effective operations, and the competitive benefits of a fitter, more agile enterprise.
For sales enquiries, please contact:
Nigel Hopkins at InfoBasis
Tel: +44 (0)1235 540 140
Email: nigelh@infobasis.com
Website: www.infobasis.com www.infobasis.com
