Taking the hard work out of managing a workforce

Issue 2 2022 Security Services & Risk Management

The human resources (HR), industrial relations (IR) and payroll function of any business is no small task and for most businesses, employment is not their core function. From recruiting skilled resources to inducting employees, managing payroll or labour relations disputes, these employment management responsibilities can become onerous as an organisation grows.


Wayne Alcock.

In addition, these business functions divert time and resources from areas where HR could make a meaningful contribution, such as future skills requirements, to fuelling business growth strategies, succession planning and career path mapping for employee retention. More importantly, IR issues like employee disputes and disciplinary actions further distract HR leadership from initiatives that result in growth and success.

By using integrated employment management services, organisations can turn their full attention to expanding operations by working towards growth goals and future plans.

Taking the hard work out of employment

Outsourcing the business of managing employment makes sense where employment is not the core function of that company. However, where employment is a means to an end (getting a product made or a project completed), managing this workforce can be a significant drain on internal resources.

An integrated employment management service can relieve this pressure, particularly in the mining, construction and engineering sectors. By freeing internal resources through outsourcing, companies gain the breathing room and capacity to expand operations and grow the business.

Challenges in mining and construction

When it comes to recruitment in the mining and construction industries, there are many human resource related challenges. This includes skill shortages, particularly in specific geographic locations. In addition, the need for stakeholder engagement and community development, as well as the obligation to hire locals can make business tricky. By making use of an integrated employment management solution, construction and mining companies can source the skills they require from across the country, while having their needs for semi-skilled and unskilled labour met at the same time.

The right workforce without the hard work

It’s not just about job placement, employment management services are particularly suited for project-based work that has been delegated to subcontractors on large-scale mining or construction projects. This is because it is an end-to-end service that runs from recruitment of workers to suitability assessment, on-boarding, training and managing every aspect of each worker’s employment contract and conditions.

Where, for example, it is necessary to source a large workforce at short notice, most companies will struggle, not only to find the labour, but also to handle the financial implications of expanding their workforce so quickly. This includes labour law compliance requirements, safety compliance, payroll, legal, human resource management and everything related to the employment aspect of the project at hand.

An integrated employment management service signs all labour contracts on behalf of the company, assuming all the costs of taking on the labour required to complete the project, while allowing the client 30 days to pay. This means that the company does not need to put in place its own payroll processes, hiring protocols or worry about training. The service provider also guarantees compliance with all the necessary legal and industry regulations, which is a massive cost and time relief for companies.

Removing the headache of scaling up

For businesses where employment is not their core function, outsourcing the entire headache to the professionals is the easiest way to mitigate risk, reduce costs and eliminate the hassle of hiring, managing and paying workers. For a single fee, companies can gain the flexibility of being able to bring in a large workforce at short notice to get the job done, without any of the associated immediate costs, or operational demands.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Off-grid power solution for residential estate
Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry) Products
Coral Beach Estate, an upmarket residential estate based in East London, has been struggling with load shedding and power outages due to South Africa's energy crisis, as well as the vandalism of its power infrastructure.

Read more...
SafeCity Guarding rolls out across 14 suburbs in Johannesburg
News Security Services & Risk Management
In a major drive to provide communities across Johannesburg with additional safety, Vumacam, in partnership with Fidelity ADT and other security providers across the region, rolled out the innovative SafeCity Guarding initiative in 14 suburbs.

Read more...
FleetDomain underpins Afrirent’s value proposition
Logistics (Industry) Security Services & Risk Management
Afrirent, a 100% female black-owned fleet management company, has been relying on FleetDomain software for a number of years to help it deliver outstanding service to a growing number of clients.

Read more...
Choosing an inferior lithium battery can be detrimental and unsafe
Uniross Batteries Security Services & Risk Management Products
South Africans looking to mitigate the impact of load shedding by installing a solar system for their home must do so through an accredited installer or electrician to avoid insurance claims being rejected.

Read more...
Employee screening, a hiring necessity or an invasion of privacy?
Security Services & Risk Management
There is a fine line between checking a potential employee’s qualifications and references, and investigating aspects of their lives that have nothing to do with their job application.

Read more...
Keeping students, staff and communities safe
Vumacam News CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring Security Services & Risk Management
South African schools are facing increasing security challenges, making effective surveillance systems more important than ever. To address this issue, Vumacam is offering advanced security solutions with security partners, aimed at keeping students, staff, and the community safe.

Read more...
Technology is key to securing physical and cybersecurity
Education (Industry) Security Services & Risk Management
The interpretation of security in educational institutions depends on whom you are talking to and whether their focus is on the physical security of the institution, its assets and its people, or its information and communication technology perspective.

Read more...
Recession? Do not skimp on cybersecurity
Cyber Security Security Services & Risk Management
While economists are studying their crystal balls, businesses have to prepare for the worst, and preparing for a recession means cutting costs and refocusing resources; however, they must ensure they do not end up creating an enormous risk.

Read more...
Security versus functionality: avoiding end user revolt
Business Connexion t/a BCX Security Services & Risk Management
When the business puts mechanisms in place to secure its infrastructure, but these hinder users from being productive, users will always find a way around them, inadvertently creating security risks.

Read more...
Security starts with a layered approach
Security Services & Risk Management
It is very easy to become completely overwhelmed when thinking about security options for your home or place of work. Wahl Bartmann suggests people think about their security plans in a layered approach.

Read more...