Rank: New forum user 
|
Dear forum, apologies if this is a repeated topic: I am in a quandry whereupon my role is being disestablished, the new roles have been conveyed as very different. Though a little dissapointed having given the organsisation a number of years service I question the validity in feedback that of role title. My question to the forum, is there any real difference between a Safety Advisor (senior, specialist or otherwise), Safety/Business Partner or Safety Officer. We have 3 in the organsisation, with the last 2 only having been or being introduced of these past 3 years. The JD/PD for all are really no different. I look forward to the forums feedback. Regards TSP
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
TSP - in my opinion, first the organisation needs to enter the 21st Century and add, at the least Health into whatever title.
The adverse outcomes of health risks are MUCH bigger than those associated with safety hazards. Has always been the way, but the stats now make this more crystal clear than perhaps was the case in the past. Numbers of victims and costs to organisations (and society). Officer is very out of date for most as it implies a policeperson who enforces. (Of course, in many organisations this is exactly what is expected). Doesn't sit well with the concept that everyone should own H&S and that it should be an integral part of the line management function from Boardroom down AND from the sharp end up. Business Partner is in vogue. Sits alongside e.g. an HR Business Partner. My own titles since I left the regulator have always included the word Adviser (sometimes with an O instead of an E). I can advise but others have to decide taking account of all their other responsibilities.That in my view is the right role (even if sometimes my advice may be in very strong terms which may be difficult to ignore!).
Managers should NOT be in the position of being able to put the blame on their HSE professionals for difficult decisions that they should take ownership of!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
I have to agree with Peter re the term Safety Officer & one of the first things I did when appointed to lead a safety team was to change their titles to Health & Safety Advisers.
Whether it is Adviser with an "o" or an "e" brings back fond memories of one of my colleagues who loathed it spelt with an "o" as he reckoned that it was an Americanised version!
In my last position, my title was changed to Head of Employee Development & Wellbeing where the H&S aspect sat within the wellbeing part & I have noticed that others are following this trend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Its the action (in accordance with the job description) not the title that defines success.
Titles only serve purpose in job applications weeding out those who cannot explain what their current / previous employment entails.
Currently a manager with no direct reports having been an advisor, adviser, officer, partner, controller and associate with various reports in different roles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Its the action (in accordance with the job description) not the title that defines success.
Titles only serve purpose in job applications weeding out those who cannot explain what their current / previous employment entails.
Currently a manager with no direct reports having been an advisor, adviser, officer, partner, controller and associate with various reports in different roles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
I agree with those that have already suggested that the JD 'TORRS- terms of role and responsibility' is the far more important aspect in this instance.
Perception is important too, when I took my most recent role as a 'head of..' function one of my first jobs was to restructure the department, I changed the title from adviser to SHE Business Partner immediately, I don't put too much credence in titles but how our colleagues perceive us is all important IMO.
The term 'manager' infers that you (sic) manage BUT SHE practitioners tend to be given a title to ensure they are on a par with their peers within an organisation, I can see why that may be important.
Interestingly I think that the private sector has lead the field in progression of the SHE practitioners roles and responsilbity with many 'authorities' taking a little time to evolve
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: New forum user
|
Hi All I am grateful for all your feedback.Yes, agree a position is defined by the actual role responsibilities not in title. Apologies all they all have H&S in the title, for simplicity I stuck with Safety.
The officer is required to support the implementation of a H&S system, monitor contractor H&S and perform induction, train internal service staff, participate in risk, incident and compliance management. They are required to have a minimum diploma and 3 years’ experience. Not overseen by HR.
The H&S (general) business partner (yes HR oriented) has a little more responsibility than the officer role, aimed at the supporting the H&S business partnering strategy, to aid and help the services focus on H&S across the business not service specific, and must have been an advisor for 2-3 years. The general H&S advisory, it’s a similar role as BP but not as defined (as BP introduced after advisor), requires suitable qualification and experience for the organisation this is preferred 2-3 years. Still overseen by HR but the 'old' role. There is also a specialist advisory, a mismatch of responsibilities not too far off manager though more in line with what I would refer to as senior advisor/team lead etc., but without the authorisation/delegations. Role requires dip/degree in H&S and minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in H&S, plus other quals incl. science or other degree/post grad. This role being developed before the BP and outside of HR, secured specialist advisory title (not general H&S) to some is also considered to be senior. So many roles for similar work, all considered very different yet in reality only in name. TSP
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
I looked it up on the OED online: 'The spellings adviser and advisor are both correct. Adviser is more common, but advisor is also widely used, especially in North America. Adviser may be seen as less formal, while advisor often suggests an official position'
Me, I'm Head of Safe Mission, and my team are Regional Safe Mission Advisers. It's the most singular title I've ever had, but it all comes down to H&S in the end,
John
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
I am the H&S Advisor but how I am perceived internally is very much based on what I do, rather than what I'm called (we are an engineering plant and tend to call a spade a spade) and how I am perceived externally is more based on my post nominals than my job title. What really matters is how much you are paid and how well you do the job rather than dancing around the semantics of a job title.
|
 2 users thanked hilary for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user 
|
I'm part of a team of Officers who are line-managed by an Adviser who is in turn managed by the H & S Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.