When do you join Bespoke HR and what prompted you to work for us?
I joined in September 2019 as I was looking for the next challenge in my HR career. Whilst I have enjoyed my previous roles enormously, I felt that I wasn’t learning enough. If you want to be an all-round HR professional, you need to learn more about the HR strands. I was attracted to Bespoke HR as I love the variety of clients I am able to work with – from dentists and care homes to IT consultancies and marketing agencies. Plus being part of a small team gives you a 360 degree view of the HR landscape, working closely with senior HR consultants.
Tell us about your HR career background? How did you get into HR and what motivated you?
I started my career at an international car rental company where I worked across several different departments. Whilst working as a supervisor in the vehicle repair team I experienced some HR issues which prompted me to learn more about HR as a discipline. I was keen to understand how all businesses can be more effective at ‘doing the right thing’ for the both the business and staff. It was whilst working in this department that I went to a local university to up-skill and completed by CIPD Level 5 Diploma Specification Applied Human Resources. After this, I moved into the HR team for a further two years looking after 173 employees across 15 teams.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy working with people and helping them to resolve their problems. It was this which led me into HR in the first place and I am still driven by helping a business manage its most valuable asset, its people.
What advice would you give small businesses owners who don’t have any HR support or budget about how they can look after their staff and their business?
Always try and look at the wider picture. When you’re running a business and an intricate part of it, it can be hard to get perspective.
What are the most common HR challenges your clients face?
ER issues (such as workplace conflict, wage disputes, health & safety and attendance) are definitely recurring themes for many clients. We can help resolve those issues and put strategies in place to avoid them in the future.
What would be your one single biggest piece of HR advice?
If you’re unsure on something always seek advice. Businesses can be left vulnerable if they make HR mistakes or don’t have the right policies and procedures in place. Always check with an expert. We offer 15 mins of free HR advice to anyone, so if you’ve got a concern – just get in touch!