If you’ve worked for a company big enough to have an HR department, you’ve probably been advised that Human Resources is not your friend. These departments exist to protect the company, and while they certainly can be a useful resource for employees, they only help you inasmuch as the company’s best interests align with that goal.
Many of us will only interact with HR in negative ways—when we’re laid off or terminated, when we have issues with coworkers or superiors, or when we suddenly realize that our private lives can absolutely affect our professional ones. That’s why more than one-third of surveyed workers in the U.S. don’t trust the HR department at their workplace. Despite this, many people turn to their HR departments when they have problems. The folks who work in HR may legitimately want to help you and solve your problem, but no matter their intentions, they will always be limited by their role at the company.
If you feel like you can’t trust HR to inform you of your options, advocate on your behalf, or take your complaints about a boss or coworker seriously, you might need to hire your own HR department to do it for you.
Independent human resources consultants are individuals or companies that do all the work an HR department at a company would do, but are hired directly by an employee. They typically offer a menu of services, including:
Offer negotiation. If you’ve received an offer of employment, an independent HR consultant can help you get the best package.
Resignation or layoff planning. An independent HR consultant can help you understand how to handle leaving a job to ensure you maximize your benefits, or how to make sure you get the most severance in a layoff.
Performance coaching. Your company’s HR department is not there to help you figure out your career. If you’re frustrated about advancement, raises, or professional development, or you’ve been placed on any sort of performance improvement plan (PIP), an HR consultant can guide you to a successful outcome.
Settling workplace issues. From harassment, personality conflicts with coworkers, or a lack of advancement that feels intentional, a consultant can make you aware of your rights and the applicable laws.
Documentation and correspondence. Independent HR consultants can help you compose letters, emails, and memos covering all aspects of your career and work experience, from asking for a raise to lodging complaints.
Independent HR consultants aren’t necessarily prohibitively expensive, depending on your budget. Caged Bird HR, for example, is one such service that charges just $99 for an initial exploratory call in which you can outline your concerns and receive guidance in terms of your rights and what you can do to resolve your situation.
From there, you can then hire them for as little as one week or for several months depending on your needs. Packages start at $350 for a week, $1,500 for a month, and $2,700 for three months, with a set number of consulting hours included with each. That's not nothing, but given you're likely to be reaching out on;y in situations likely to seriously affect your employment, if not your career, it may be worth it.
You don’t need to have an HR consultant on retainer, or hire one for basic HR stuff like scheduling vacations or taking advantage of your benefits package. But these consultants can come into play any time you find yourself in conflict with your employer, because the HR folks who work for your organization are there to resolve the issue in ways that protect the company, not necessarily you.
Consider hiring an independent HR consultant when:
You need relevant knowledge. Any time you need to understand the relevant laws, company policies, contract terms, or available benefits and resources, a consultant can help. Your company’s HR department may not always inform you of all option available. For example, this article from The Guardian notes one woman dealing with work stress whose HR department didn’t inform her that taking a leave of absence was a possibility—the independent HR consultant she hired did that.
You need guidance. If you’re not sure how to phrase a request, complaint, or response (to a poor review, for example), a consultant can help you craft wording that protects your interests and navigates corporate policy.
The stakes are high. If you’re involved in any situation that may impact your employment status or compensation, an independent advisor can help you navigate the internal processes, legal implications, and other concerns while maintaining confidentiality.
It’s important to remember that you can take advantage of an HR consultant and not take any action—sometimes just understanding your situation a bit better, being able to vent, or having your suspicions confirmed about something going on in the office can help you manage challenging times at your job. An independent HR consultant can be the ideal person to speak with, because nothing you say will end up in your file at work.
