Our HR Consultant, Carolina Perez discusses why outsourced HR holds the key to unlocking an inviting workplace👇

Meet the team – Carolina Perez, HR Consultant

Meet Carolina Perez, our CIPD certified and talented HR consultant who is passionate about helping create positive changes to the workplace. Unveiling a shift towards ‘People and Culture’, she shares insights into fostering workplace environments where growth and positivity thrive…

Tell us about yourself, how did you get into HR and what brought you to Gravitate?”

Following a career in recruitment, I transitioned into a Human Resources generalist role during the pandemic. Lockdown provided me with me with the perfect opportunity to achieve a CIPD Level 5 Diploma in HR. I then worked within the public sector, where I learned more about the importance of flexible and positive working environments.  Drawn by Gravitate HR’s reputation for excellence, I joined the team in early 2021, eager to leverage my newfound skills and passion for HR solutions. Through the last 3 years, I have worked on developing my HR skills in all areas.

What is your role?

I am a HR Consultant and a member of the core consultant team at Gravitate HR. I support a portfolio of SME clients providing HR generalist support both on a retained and ad hoc project basis, with a commitment to personalised solutions and helping businesses improve ways of working for their employees.

What projects are you and your team working on at the moment?

During 2024, I have noticed an increased interest from my clients looking to ensure they are offering competitive rewards packages and industry-standard salaries in order to increase retention, engagement and talent attraction. I believe this reflects a cross industry shift in attitude to the importance of creating inviting workplaces where employees can prosper. Consequently, there has been an increase of salary and benefits benchmarking amongst my project work, particularly within highly specialist and niche industries.

Additionally, with a number of legislative employment law changes taking place this year, our clients are reaching out for support in maintaining legal compliance within their contractual documentation, HR policies and procedures and employee handbooks. Employment law is continuing to play such a crucial role in the contemporary working environment, and our team see effective compliance as a key component for keeping our clients competitive.

“What is the best thing about your job?”

The best part of my job is having the opportunity to support diverse organisations and individuals. From understanding unique challenges to driving solutions, I engage with various businesses and leaders, earning their trust along the way. It’s gratifying to make a meaningful impact in their professional journeys and help our client base achieve sustainable success. At the heart of this, I approach all client interactions by encouraging them to empower their employees, and finding the best route to outcome for achieving a more fulfilling workplace.

With HR support, what are the main opportunities for businesses right now?”

With outsourced HR support, businesses have a strategic opportunity to reshape their organisational culture amidst the flourishing trend of ‘People and Culture’ over traditional Human Resources.

Looking at employees merely as ‘resources’ doesn’t align with contemporary HR approaches. Instead, adopting a ‘people and culture’ perspective emphasises nurturing a workplace environment where individuals enjoy a positive employee journey and have ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Embracing hybrid working models and flexibility, prioritising diversity and inclusion initiatives, driving healthy vs toxic work cultures and fostering happiness at work are pivotal.

Today’s workforce craves flexibility, autonomy, and meaningful connections, which demands a shift in leadership into proactive people and culture strategies, away from traditional administrative HR. In doing this, HR consultants serve as invaluable partners, smoothing transitions and providing direction.

“What do you do outside of work?”

In my free time, I enjoy dancing a variety of Latin and African dance styles as a way of keeping active and social. During my holidays, I enjoy discovering new countries and cultures, and interacting with people of all nationalities.

Want to find out more about how our HR services can help your business? Get in touch at: info@gravitatehr.co.uk