University student Phoebe was introduced to the world of HR and Employment Law with Employee Management Ltd during the summer. She has written a blog on her time spent with us.
During my summer break from university, I was lucky to secure a work experience placement opportunity with Employee Management Ltd (EML), allowing me to participate in all aspects of the HR consultancy service they offer to clients.
As a young person who has worked in retail and hospitality, company HR departments have often seemed distant, powerful and verging on scary. However, my experience with EML has opened my eyes to the creative, people-centred and positive aspects of the provision of HR and Employment Law support services. They encouraged my participation in creative problem solving as well as giving me the opportunity to liaise with the seasoned HR professionals that deliver the services they provide. It’s definitely encouraged me to consider HR as a future career.
The first morning of my placement was nerve-wracking! I had no previous experience in an office setting and therefore no real idea of what to expect. I spent the weeks before I began researching EML and frantically kitting myself out with the required ‘professional dress’! When I arrived at the office though, I was greeted by EML’s Managing Director, Debbie Knowles, who instantly put me at ease. She talked me through what my time with EML would be like and she took the care to ask lots of questions about myself and my course. I really felt that EML was interested in the wellbeing of the people who work there as well as the companies they assist.
They had also even thought to set me up with a buddy. Jo Mills, HR Consultant, supported me throughout my work experience. She provided me with challenging and thought-provoking questions on live cases that she was working on, and I was able to engage in discussions with other members of the team to gain a full understanding of the creative problem-solving that the provision of effective, commercially minded HR support requires. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcomed my input, enabling me to build confidence and engage in discussions surrounding a variety of topics, such as workplace discrimination and the current employment situation in relation to COVID-19.
As my placement progressed, I was able to sit in on a marketing meeting with Director and Head of HR, Chris Nagel. Seeing how EML interacted with its own external support providers gave me an insight into the multi-faceted nature of working in an HR consultancy business as opposed to working in a company’s internal HR department – no two days ever appear to be the same. Sitting in on meetings and shadowing discussions helped me learn far more about the way the business operates, watching how the EML team approached scenarios that just wouldn’t arise in an in-house HR role.
On my final day, Jo helped me set up a LinkedIn account and offered EML’s future assistance with refining my CV and providing me with a mock interview process to help me prepare for job interviews that I hope will be forthcoming when I’m ready to pursue a career in HR for real.
The knowledge that EML has provided me with during my placement has been so valuable and the lengths that EML went to in facilitating my learning and immersing me in every aspect of their operation has been an incredible learning experience.
If you have any questions with regards to providing work experience opportunities in your business, or you would like further advice regarding any other HR/Employment Law or Health and Safety matter, please contact us on 01942 727200 or email enquiries@employeemanagement.co.uk.