With the big players ensuring they’re where they need to be in terms of HR, diversity and wellbeing, smaller construction companies are having to look at their own processes and provision in order to stay ahead in an ever-evolving sector.
Having embarked on such a journey themselves, the team at Midland Scaffolding Services (MSS) in Wellingborough have seen the benefits of having HR professionals on hand to advise on everything from contracts to employee surveys, upskilling to mental health provision.
The family-run scaffolding company, which was founded in 1982, supplies scaffolding to clients, focusing on commercial projects including in the education sector, hospitals, business and retail. Among its most prestigious project have been those in Downing Street and at the Selfridges store at the Bullring in Birmingham city centre.
As it continues to grow, currently employing over 50 staff , the company recently engaged CE People to audit its HR provision and ensure processes were compliant and up to date.
Amie Bailey, Commercial Director at MSS, said: “My perspective was that the Cat A companies, have very much got to where they should be when it comes to HR, diversity, health and wellbeing, but for us sub-contractors, it’s more difficult. The smaller sub-contractor companies are usually run by skilled tradespeople, who started in their trade and then decided to set up on their own.
They know all about their trade but when you don’t come from an office or business background, or know anything outside of construction, you don’t always have the other knowledge you need.”
“Everything is evolving and main contractors are expecting more and more from their supply chain and sub-contractors, and that’s quite a burden for a smaller fi rm, and if those bigger companies don’t feel you are meeting their requirements, you might find you can no longer work with them.
“With that in mind, we changed direction from taking legal advice on employment issues as and when we needed it to a more proactive approach with the support of CE People. It means we now know our policies and procedures are up-to-date and we are compliant, and also, that we are listening to our employees and taking their feedback on board.”
An outsourced HR service, such as that provided by CE People, provides ongoing proactive advice on changing legislation and new employment law guidelines, giving the client the reassurance that everything is in place, and that there is someone on hand should a question or issue arise.
Claire Butcher from CE People said: “Most of the time we find that firms are not in a particularly bad position, we just have to help them fill any gaps so that they are doing what they need to do to protect their employees and themselves.
“The practicalities, contracts and company handbooks and the like are just one area of HR that should be audited and brought up to date. Then we can also look at employee engagement and whether staff feel they have a voice.
Claire added: “Construction can be a rugged, tough environment, where people might not feel comfortable speaking up about how they feel – whether that’s about issues on site, with colleagues, or their own mental health and wellbeing. By introducing employee surveys and appraisals and really taking feedback on board, you make your employees feel heard.”
Figures show that the construction sector loses 2.4million working days through illness or injury each year, and that in the UK alone, two construction workers each day take their own lives.
CE People’s Emma Thompson said: “All credit to MSS because the Directors knew what they wanted to achieve. MSS already had the right ideas, and we’re just here supporting them to implement these into correct procedures.
“Outsourced HR brings benefits for both sides and everything is treated in the strictest confidence. We’re always there for directors who feel they need to vent, but if the employer prefers, we can also be there for employees who need to get something off their chest.
“It’s difficult for someone who’s come through their trade to suddenly be a manager. They may need training in people skills or how to have difficult conversations; you’re not born a manager, it’s often a role that comes to you through experience and time.
“And of course, if it suits the client, we can have those difficult conversations on their behalf. We are completely unbiased, we don’t have an opinion or an agenda, it’s not confrontational or personal, we’ll just give a balanced view.”
Amie Bailey added: “What’s important for us is that we can focus on the day-to-day running of our business while having the peace of mind of knowing we are following employment law and are doing everything we need to do to be compliant, safe and to meet the requirements of the companies we might want to work with.
“Where CE People help is by setting goals for each quarter and reviewing them, suggesting and implementing changes and completely adding value as an outsourced partner.”
To find out more about the services offered by CE People by calling 01604 805634, email your enquiries at enquiries@ce-people.co.uk or visit the website here.
For more details about Midland Scaffolding Services visit their website here.
