Firms are recruiting more HR professionals with restructuring and downsizing experience as a result of the economic downturn, according to Robert Walters’ latest salary survey.
 
Due to disputes arising from poor market conditions, 2008 saw an increase in demand for employee relations (ER) experts compared to 2007, with organisations attempting to minimise disruption and negative press coverage resulting from redundancies, the survey showed.

Darren Wentworth, director of Robert Walters Human Resources division, says: “One of the key considerations for all HR functions operating in the current economic climate is handling restructuring and redundancies in a fair and reasonable manner. Many businesses are acting now to protect their reputation and brand by hiring experienced ER experts.”

Martyn Wright, managing director at Oakleaf HR Search & Selection, told Recruiter: “We have placed literally teams of interims who are going in to make people redundant. It depends on the size of the client. Everyone is looking at their people whether they need to or not because you have got to be prudent in these times.

“The skillset of being able to make someone redundant and do it in a way without landing you in court is a good skillset to have.”

James Calder, director at Macildowie Associates, adds: “Good ER specialists are like gold dust at the best of times. Over 2007-08, there was an increase in demand. Boots in particular have something called senior employer relations advisers and we had massive projects on with them. Local authority councils will also take as many as you can get.”