Optimising your people management: The In Work Support Programme

Employees are a company’s most valuable resource, making the recruitment and retention of top talent essential. People management involves strategies for hiring, developing, and retaining employees. It is a proven method to support staff and contribute to a company’s growth.

Talent acquisition and overcoming recruitment challenges can be difficult, especially with economic uncertainty and budget constraints. By investing in in-work support, employers can lighten the burden on people managers within the business, attract the right candidates and ultimately create a happier and stronger workforce.

Within this blog post, we explore what makes effective people management and how NBSL’s In Work Support (IWS) programme can help businesses within the North East of England build a resilient and skilled workforce.

The importance of people management

So, what is people management and why do we need it?

People management, often referred to as human resource management (HRM), is a cornerstone of a successful business. It is a strategic approach to managing an organisation’s workforce. It involves a range of activities, from recruitment and onboarding to performance management.
At Sapphire HR, we work with SMEs across the North East region that do not have their own HR department but still need to implement effective people management strategies.

The practice can be broken down into four key components:

1.  Attracting and retaining top talent

People management identifies, attracts, and hires the right people for the organisation in question. Being able to do this successfully is directly linked to building a strong employer brand. A distinctive employer brand will help a business differentiate itself in the labour market and compete for talent. By offering favourable and competitive salaries, benefits and company perks, people managers can attract and retain valuable employees.

2. Supporting employee development

People managers should provide regular feedback to employees. By defining expectations and communicating clearly on performance, employees can better focus their efforts to achieve tangible goals. While setting clear expectations is important, it’s equally important for employees to be able to achieve their goals through tailored training and development. Upskilling employees and providing opportunities for career growth and advancement can improve productivity, support problem-solving abilities within the team, and boost morale.

3. Managing employee relations

People managers must address and resolve conflicts between employees to maintain a harmonious work environment. It is important that fair and consistent disciplinary procedures are in place and that the company handles grievances effectively and in line with current employment legislation.

4. Fostering employee engagement

This goes together with retaining top talent. When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. Recognising and rewarding employee contributions is an effective strategy, this may be through monetary rewards, public recognition or offering extra opportunities for career development. It’s important to also promote employee well-being through wellness programmes and/or flexible working arrangements. These can significantly impact employee retention and foster a positive work environment.
While the above are the key components of effective people management, it’s important to have clear and concise HR policies in place so that they can be actioned and minimise misunderstandings. Many SMEs choose to outsource their HR function to ensure compliance, streamline processes and have access to specialised knowledge when issues arise. At Sapphire HR, we provide tailored solutions to help SMEs navigate people management.

What issues do SMEs face?

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) often face significant challenges in people management. Limited resources, lack of dedicated HR expertise, and rapid growth can put a strain on managing an expanding workforce. These challenges can manifest in various ways, from struggling to retain talent and ineffective performance management to compliance issues.

What is the In Work Support (IWS) programme?

The In Work Support (IWS) programme is a UK Government funded project through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project is delivered by Northumberland Business Services Limited (NBSL), which is a not-for-profit organisation that supports businesses across Northumberland, Newcastle, and North Tyneside.

The In-Work Support (IWS) programme can provide businesses in the North East region with expert HR support to improve people management strategies and drive business growth.
Effective people management is crucial for the success of any business, especially for SMEs. A well-managed workforce can lead to:

• Increased productivity: Engaged employees are more likely to be productive.
• Reduced turnover: A positive work environment can help retain top talent.
• Improved employee morale: Satisfied employees are more likely to be loyal and committed.
• Enhanced company reputation: A strong reputation as an employer can attract top talent.#

Through the IWS programme, eligible businesses can access up to 12 hours of fully funded expert HR support. This includes diagnosing and clearly identifying areas of the business that could benefit from better people management. Businesses will also have access to specialist workshops to help strengthen HR processes.This support can help address a range of challenges, including:

Recruitment and retention

The IWS programme will highlight ways to improve a business’ recruitment process. It can also support businesses in adopting a clear staff development and progression strategy to help create opportunities for growth, which can boost staff retention.

Leadership and management

The key to any successful people management strategy is strong leadership. The IWS programme includes tailored leadership workshops to give managers the tools and confidence to tackle HR issues and support employees effectively.

Building staff resilience

The IWS’s HR specialists can support businesses in building staff resilience and fostering a supportive work environment. They focus on empowering employees to cope with stress, adapt to change, and bounce back from adversity. This can be achieved through providing mental health resources, offering flexible work arrangements, promoting work-life balance, and encouraging open communication in the workplace.

Neurodiversity

Through training and support, people managers can learn how to identify and address the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals, fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding. Dedicated workshops can help managers develop the empathy and practical strategies necessary to empower neurodiverse employees to thrive in the workplace, from implementing flexible work arrangements to visual aids and sensory considerations.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the IWS Programme, your business must be based in Northumberland, Newcastle, or North Tyneside and must be facing HR challenges or issues.

Why participate in the IWS Programme?

The IWS Programme seeks to identify skills-related challenges and key obstacles hindering businesses’ ability to recruit, retain, and advance their workforce. By understanding these challenges, the programme can support businesses in:

• Adapting to economic shifts: Position your business to thrive in the evolving North of Tyne economy.
• Develop a skilled workforce: Access targeted interventions to enhance employee skills and capabilities.
• Optimise support structures: Improve existing support systems to make the most of available resources.

How Sapphire HR can help

At Sapphire HR, we understand the unique challenges faced by SMEs in the North East. Our team of experienced HR professionals can provide expert guidance and support to help you navigate the complexities of people management.

We are proud to have partnered with NBSL to support businesses in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside through the IWS programme.

From HR diagnostics to offering support with recruitment and selection, performance management, employee relations, training and development, and compliance, we are committed to making HR support accessible, so that businesses can build a high performing, engaged, and resilient workforce.

If you’re interested in joining the IWS programme and tapping into our HR expertise, contact us today and see how we can help you achieve your people management goals.