Why are we exploring Self-Regulation? 
Human Resources deserves to be seen as a profession on par with other leading professional groups - engineers, accountants, lawyers, etc. A few of our provincial peers have taken the next step to become recognized as a true self-governing professional association.

Self-regulation is not just about CPHR Nova Scotia regulating members, it's about members regulating members. Obtaining recognition as a self-regulated profession means that the Nova Scotia Government would recognize that our members themselves are in the best position to regulate the standards required of the HR profession, including certification standards and standards of professional conduct. 

Public interest reasons to self-regulate:

1) The public can’t protect itself

The public does not get to choose who their HR professional is and therefore a standard set of practices is very important.  Also, with so many small and medium sized businesses in Nova Scotia Human Resources roles are often filled by consultants and these consultants also need a standard governance model to follow to fulfil their responsibilities.

2) Reduction of costly controls

Why should the human resource profession be regulated when employers and unions already have access to lawyers, the labour board, etc.?  We believe that although these roles are critical they are often put in place to help employees right a wrong after it has already happened.  Knowledgeable and influential human resource professionals will be able to deal with issues prior to going to a penalty stage, reduce employer and public litigation costs, and reduce government resources and costs incurred in enforcement.

3) Minimize harm

Effective qualified human resource professionals and strong human resources reduces cases of harm caused by abusive employers and/or unions, controls and mitigates dangerous working conditions, and is able to identify and eliminate unethical work practices and/or violations of the Nova Scotia Labour Standards.

4) Ensure knowledge gap is handled with care

Human Resources professionals possess a large body of knowledge, nine professional competencies and five enabling ones.  They are required to interpret and apply a vast array of legislation, codes, regulations, policies and practices.  The consequence of unprepared or overwhelmed HR professionals is inadequate advice that creates poor policy and unintended public harm.

In short, we're exploring self-regulation for the HR profession in Nova Scotia as we believe it will be good for employers, employees, the economy and broader society. It protects the public interest by ensuring both the professional competence and ethical conduct of registered human resource professionals. It requires very little cost for the Government of Nova Scotia, and in the long-run may actually decrease the administrative burden on the Government for oversight of compliance with labour and employment legislation. A self-regulating professional human resources association takes a pro-active approach in securing the success of our organizations and our people. The future of a successful Nova Scotia hinges on the success of its people.  Human Resource professionals, functioning properly and accountable to a set of professional standards, are integral to organizational success.