Outsourced HR

How does it work?

WISE acts as an outsourced human resource (HR) unit to a number of organisations throughout South Africa, many of whom operate on a nationwide basis. WISE enters into a retained arrangement with the organisation, the terms of which may differ depending on the organisation’s HR requirements. In most cases, the organisation is given access to all WISE labour law specialists but appoints a ‘Key Person’ to manage the organisation’s HR needs and to provide a consistent contact point for the client.

Why outsource HR?

Retaining WISE to manage your organisation’s HR function has a number of advantages, namely:

• WISE believes that organisations are best served by line managers taking responsibility for HR issues and accordingly it structures the HR function around empowering managers to understand and be responsible for HR matters. In other words, WISE’s role is to manage the managers on HR issues;
   
• obtaining access to a number of experienced labour lawyers, many with unique skills that can be drawn-upon when required;
   
• an outsourced HR Unit retains a degree of impartiality in HR decisions and provides a balance between an employer’s interests and the interests of its employees;
   
• it can reduce an organisation’s legal spend, given an outsourced HR Unit is also able to provide labour law advice; and
   
• retaining WISE is cost-effective, particularly once managers have been up-skilled in HR issues and decision-making.
  

What services do WISE provide?

WISE’s services extend to the full-range of workplace issues, including not only HR services but also industrial relations and labour law matters. As an outsourced HR unit, WISE carries out the following functions:

• ensuring organisations comply with legislative requirements, particularly in relation to the Labour Relations Act 1995 and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 1997;
   
• managing recruitment and selection requirements;
   
• conducting disciplinary hearings and grievance processes;
   
• providing organisational development and structuring expertise;
   
• managing an outsourced payroll service;
   
• administering performance appraisals, remuneration benchmarking, employee inductions, exit interviews;
   
• handling discrimination and harassment complaints;
   
• ensuring employers abide by affirmative action, employment equity and UIF obligations;
   
• conducting wage negotiations and other consultations with trade unions;
   
• drafting and implementing workplace documentation, including employment contracts, workplace policies and independent contractor agreements;
   
• implementing BBBEE transformation strategies;
   
• representing organisations in the CCMA;
   
• training employees on a wide-range of HR and labour law issues and implementing a skills plan for the organisation;
   
• frequent reporting to the organisation on HR matters, usually at Board level; and
   
• managing redundancy requirements.
  

For more information on our outsourced HR services, contact Dee Cranswick on (021) 465 3500 or dee@workinsolutions.co.za.