HRGuru

How does HR differ outside the US?

dunro said:

I'm curious to hear from some actual experts in the field, as I'm a student ... but here's my view:

It would vary by country, influenced by legislation (which vary by country/state/etc) and cultural values. I know in Canada our legal issues vary depending on the province (but not to a major degree -- for example my province requires Pay Equity) or if the company is federally regulated.

In Canada the disability and workers comp laws are more favorable to the employee.  Canada is a very socially/liberal country that really makes the extra effort to take care of its citizens.  I think the greatest policy they have (unrelated) is that the tax on cigarettes is what funds free national healthcare for everyone.

I really don't find that there are any significant differences, to be honest.  HR is still HR.  I think that in England, we have very similar laws regarding payroll, deductions, legal exemptions, etc.  Employees rights to benefits, couples' rights, all of that.  There just seems to be a standard rule of behaviour, a rule about what's fair that we all seem to adhere to.  I think that the differences mostly lie in programmes that are available.  Now, we have the New Deal scheme here, which makes funding available for people up to the age of 25 to find new ways to be productive, including self-employment.  Do you have anything similar?

Well, disability is determined by a chain.  Say for instance you're having health problems that you feel are due to too much stress at work.  First, you go to your doctor, who examines you and recommends a course of treatment.  If the treatment doesn't help and the situation gets worse, the doctor can then give you a sick note for a specified time, one month at a time being the standard beginning point.  You have to visit the doctor again before getting the next note.  If it results in long-term problems, you get a longer-term note, three months.  Then, an exam is arranged with a consultant appointed by works and pensions to see if they feel that your doctor is correct.  If they do, you go on sickness disability until you are able to return to work.  If they don't, you have either the option to appeal, or you just go back to your doctor, who has to release you to go to work.  The doctor isn't allowed to leave you on sick leave if the examiner says you're fine and there is no appeal.  If you're appealing, you stay on leave until the appeal is heard, which can take a few months.

As for the New Deal, it's expanded now to involve a few different contracts so that people have many different options.  Basically, the government has recognized that there is a wide variety of problems that people face when it comes to finding work.  So, they have some schemes that will help you to get training or education.  It's a bit difficult to get to go to college or anything like that, but if you seriously qualify, you can do it.  We do not have free college here at all, so that's why it's a bit of a problem.  But they will help you to do some kinds of education, if it's required.  They also help you with transportation sometimes so that you can get to job interviews and to work for awhile until you can afford the transportation.  They help you with everything from job hunting to interview skills, and there are some that will allow you to volunteer for them if you need a recent job history item to show.  The one that Prince Charles started, the Princes Trust, is one of those that help people to start up their own business if the job search isn't really turning up anything.  It can be grants, loans, or small donations from a discretionery fund, depending on how much you need.  What I like about these agencies is that they use caseworkers who are positive and supportive in order to protect the dignity of the client so that he/she will be more confident and motivated.  They believe that all agencies should network tightly in order to give the best service to the client, and in some cases, the client is able to use more than one scheme at a time.  They'll even give you a free massage once during your time with them, and free swimming vouchers to keep you relaxed and ready to search.  With new contracts always seem to come new and more innovative ideas.