A Client's Story

The call came from the directors' secretary. There were only six staff when she joined, she said. Now there were thirty, and rising. She had been asked to sort out the personnel records, but what should she do about employment contracts? How should she deal with a disciplinary hearing? She had no training in personnel management - could we help?

We visited the Company to meet the directors and their secretary, gained an understanding of the business, and discussed how we might help. We suggested that we first carry out an audit of current arrangements. The directors agreed. On the strength of the audit's findings, we helped produce employment contracts, revised the Disciplinary/Grievance Procedure, and developed a Staff Handbook. The Health & Safety Policy was re-written, and a procedure to ensure compliance with the Display Equipment Regulations was drafted. We agreed to leave the policy on Maternity Leave to a later date. After all, it was not urgent.

A few days later we received a call to say that the Accounts Assistant was pregnant. Could we bring forward the Maternity Leave policy!

In the months that followed we designed an application form, drafted recruitment advertisements, assisted recently appointed supervisors with interviews, overhauled the appraisal process, and trained managers in how to get the most from appraisals. We drafted policies on Training, Company Cars and Relocation, conducted a Staff Opinion Survey , and advised the directors on how to address the issues identified. We also advised the directors on the people management issues they would need to consider as the Company continued to grow, and in the light of Greenbury developed a remuneration proposal for the directors themselves.

As the Company grew to over one hundred the directors' secretary was appointed Personnel Manager. A second Staff Opinion Survey confirmed that much had improved, including pay, training, communications and management style, issues we had highlighted in the first survey.

Beddard-Roberts offers affordable, 'hands-on' support with the people management issues facing your business. Whatever your challenges or concerns, we work with you to deliver the solutions.