A leading light at a rapidly expanding HR and Health and Safety consultancy has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
HR operations manager Sue Watson, of HR Solutions in Kettering, has been named a finalist in the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards’ Lockdown Leader category for keeping her team motivated and informed during the pandemic whilst continuing to deliver a first-class service to clients.
When the first lockdown was announced in March, the firm experienced unprecedented demand for its services as clients sought support with furloughing, the Job Support Scheme and the Good Work Plan. That, coupled with government guidance that was constantly changing, meant the company had to change its guidance and documentation on an almost daily basis whilst ensuring its own team were supported as they moved to home working.
The company ran mental health awareness courses for staff and gave them three days of Lockdown Leave to ensure they took time out for themselves. Additional support was also provided to new recruits and staff members who had just returned from maternity leave and long-term absences.
While all this was happening, HR Solutions ran weekly webinars on COVID-19 and related issues which proved hugely popular with the public.
Events & PR, organisers of the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards, added the category of Lockdown Leader to recognise individuals in the local business community who had ‘kept his/her team motivated and informed’ and ‘continued to inspire and show passion and optimism in exceptionally difficult circumstances’.
HR Solutions chief executive Greg Guilford said: “Sue was integral to ensuring we delivered a high standard of service to our clients and she looked after the wellbeing of our team fantastically.
“Sue has been with us for nearly 20 years and is responsible for our HR Operations Team which, with 13 staff, is the largest team in our business.
“As a very capable and knowledgeable HR professional she was abreast of all the changes the government was making and ensured her team had the guidance they needed to help our clients. This was no small task and she handled it magnificently. She also helped to draft our webinar content and co-delivered most of them.
“Despite this increased pressure and workload, Sue remained a calming influence. She has been a true lockdown champion and ensured, through excellent management and leadership, that we provided the support needed to keep everything on track for our clients and HR Solutions too.”
The award winner will be revealed on Tuesday March 23, 2021, COVID-19 permitting.
HR Solutions was established in 2001 and provides expert outsourced HR consultancy and support to businesses. With a Head Office in Kettering, Northamptonshire, and bases in Milton Keynes and Birmingham, HR Solutions operates in a variety of industries and has a client list that ranges from small care agencies to multi-national technology firms. Its HR consultants have extensive experience in the HR sector and have the ability to resolve any employment issues that arise.
To find out more about HR Solutions visit www.hrsolutions-uk.com
