Miguel d'Harcourt Bauluz, president of the Illustrious College of Social Graduates, RRLL and HR of La Rioja

Miguel d´Harcourt Bauluz has presided over the Illustrious Official College of Social Graduates, Labor Relations and Human Resources of La Rioja since 2018. Graduate in Labor Sciences at the Specializing in Human Resources from the University of La Rioja and a Social Graduate from the University of Zaragoza, Miguel is a university expert in Business Management. After spending time between 1985 and 1991 in the Inspection Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, since that year he has directed ADE Business Consulting, based in Logroño.

The School has celebrated its 50th anniversary and during that time many things have happened, what in your opinion would be the most important changes produced and how has the School adapted to those changes?

In 2022 we have celebrated the 50th anniversary of our Illustrious Official College of Social Graduates of La Rioja. It all started in the early 70s. The first social graduates from Rioja took their first steps as a delegation from the College of Zaragoza. They were difficult years, the profession was not regulated as an official career. At first it was a profession linked to the Ministry of Labor. Starting in 1980, a decree integrated social graduates into the Ministry of Education as part of the university network, thus reaching the level of a diploma in Labor Relations, and later in the current degree in Labor Relations and Human Resources. In 1985 our colleagues made the decision to establish the College of Social Graduates of La Rioja and begin a new journey as a provincial school. And with the perseverance and effort of the presidents and the members of the Governing Boards, the project was consolidated, being able to enjoy our School today.

This inheritance received, the effort of our colleagues is today reflected in the attitude and dedication of the current members. Delivery that has been demonstrated in the hard times experienced during the pandemic. The social graduates of the Colegio de La Rioja have silently, without pretensions, carried out the vast majority of the ERTES, processed aid and subsidies, managed the cessation of self-employed activity, pensions, retirements, time records, teleworking... there are many regulations and laws that have been born in 2020 and each and every one of them has passed through the offices of the social graduates to transmit them to workers, companies and citizens in general. From our College, constant meetings have been held with all Public Administrations, offering our services, helping companies, workers, informing day by day to end each day with the full conviction of having fulfilled our duty.

But one of the most relevant facts during this process has been the union demonstrated by all the members of this College, the shared work, the selfless help between colleagues.I am proud of each and every one of them.

Our School picked up the baton of our first colleagues, and their initiative and effort today we can enjoy a strong School, with strong ties with the Administration of Justice, with the University of La Rioja, with the General Treasury of Security Social Security and the National Social Security Institute, with the Labor Inspection, with the General Directorate of Justice, with the General Directorate of Employment, Social Dialogue and Labor Relations, and with the social agents. Today we have a strong consolidated College at the service of members and society.

___Social graduates are privileged observers of labor relations because you know first-hand the reality of companies and workers. What is the role of the School in these relationships? 

Indeed, the College through its members manages a large part of the labor relations of La Rioja, our profession, our knowledge, our experience are what produce an interaction in the labor market, guiding companies and workers in their labor relations. Offering both, within the legal framework, a fair employment relationship.

___How do you see the future of the profession, and what do you think will be the key themes that will mark your work in the next two years?

Our profession is essential. The future of the labor market is uncertain due to the constant variations that occur in it, and our team, always informed and trained, adapts to these changes. Years of important changes await us, marked by government plans to achieve a sustainable economy, we will see labor relations vary within a framework of technological advance that will modify current jobs, some being lost and new jobs being created.

We will see artificial intelligence incorporated into labor relations. All of this represents a challenge that social graduates face with the positive attitude that defines us.

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Entrepreneurship is one of the pending subjects in our country, but people find obstacles and, above all, fear in taking this step. What advice would you give to someone who wants to launch their own business?

The first and best advice that an entrepreneur can receive is to plan his idea, his project, his dream.Put yourself in the hands of a social graduate who can prepare a viability plan for the future business, be able to anticipate the future problems you will encounter and have the solutions prepared to face the challenge of your life. ___The social graduate will be your mentor in the path to success.

If we talk about labor reform, what has this change in the types of employment contracts meant for your group? Do you think it is appropriate and necessary?

The main problem that we have and are suffering from is the lack of knowledge in the practical application of the new forms of employment contracts. An attempt has been made to gather information from the Public Administration to be able to guide and advise our clients correctly, but the responses have not been as clarifying as the situation requires.

The reform mainly aims to reduce temporary employment contracts. The regulation of the labor market is causing a loss of flexibility in favor of indefinite labor relations. Which produces an apparent improvement in the macroeconomic data but does not correct the deep structural problems that reduce the efficiency of the Spanish labor market.

From my particular point of view I understand that the agreements reached between the social agents for the labor reform give it adequate credibility, but it would be necessary to correct deviations that have not been addressed.

I give as an example the situation of the current labor market with an unemployment rate of around 13% and more than 130,000 unfilled jobs as of June 2022. These The data shows us the social needs, the labor needs and should lead us to a broader approach that would include secondary and university education, to adapt it to the future structural needs of the labor market. Labor reform is not enough.  

Multidisciplinary work team, advice based on knowledge and experience, specialization in SMEs... are your strengths at ADE Business Consulting. What do customers value most?

We have achieved a trained, updated work team, with one reason for being: to serve customers in any situation, in the shortest possible time. Clients positively value and fully trust the team, knowing that they are part of their company and that they can count on the necessary support and the right solutions.

___What is the relationship between social graduates and the Public Administration? And with the mutuals? And with

The School has a permanent professional relationship with the various Public Administrations that make up our environment. Relationship resulting from our main asset: training, experience, demonstrated professionalism, which meets and understands the needs of the Administration. The College participates in its daily management for the benefit of citizens.

As for the mutual insurance companies, our relationship is excellent, the daily work, the path to be followed during the Temporary Disability and Work Accident processes, we manage it together, helping each other.

Fraternidad-Muprespa has always been a reference in the offices of social graduates, particularly in La Rioja, where they have shown us professionalism, good work, speed in care and management.

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___The Adviser's Corner is a tool integrated into the Digital Office of the Mutual Fund, can you tell us about the advantages that this tool brings to your advice? What do you think of the Discussion Forum? tool to share a specific topic with other advisors?

The Advisor's Corner is a good application, where we have the possibility of being more up to date, doing simulations, receiving news, being up to date on Collective Agreements. Regarding the Discussion Forum, is___a professional space in which We can debate, share, and reach consensus among colleagues, which gives us greater vision and new solutions.

___To conclude, what would you ask of the Mutual so that you can improve the service you provide to your clients and members?

Being honest and even knowing that it is not within the reach of the Mutual Fund, I would ask for social graduates, who manage part of the administrative burden with our work, 4% of consultation, which at the time was a great financial aid and that helped us participate interactively.