MEET THE TEAM!
We asked the HR Dept North Birmingham all of life’s burning questions, see what they said below!
Sara Abbott – Director / Owner
What’s your favourite thing about working at The HR Dept?
Oh it has to be the sheer variety of what we do! It can be working with a client as their dedicated HR Manager, knowing the whole team, supporting the staff as well as the managers. It can be advising on a specific subject – like Appraisals or a TUPE transfer. It can be being there behind the scenes for an employer, giving them support and words for dealing with every kind and shape of staff issue. All our clients are different, and we get to know all their styles and needs and tailor advice to fit. I have genuinely never had a dull day at The HR Dept – and still don’t know all the answers to all the questions we get asked, and not sure I ever will….
How did you get into HR?
The sensible answer is that I studied Economic & Social History at Uni and was fascinated by the nineteenth century social entrepreneurs like Rowntree and Booth who knew that their businesses would be stronger if they invested in their people. I also loved looking at different perspectives on an issue and trying to work out the best way forward. How best to use all that but HR?
The daft answer – oh not for sharing here!
What did you want to do as a child?
I wanted to be an author, a teacher, then a journalist, then a midwife (not sure why as I hated Biology at school).
If you can swap places with anyone for the day, who would it be?
Now that is a really tough question. Other than one of our three pampered cats, don’t think there is anyone I would rather be, even just for a day.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Now the children are flying the nest, we do lots of walking and holidays, especially weekend breaks.
What is the strangest HR query you have ever had?
Oh so many! Has got to be the reasons people give to justify viewing inappropriate material at work…..
What’s the best advice you were ever given and who was it from?
Look for the silver lining, from my Grandma. Yes, there always is one, sometimes it takes more seeking out than other times.
What is your favourite meal and dessert?
I’m not really a dessert person but Lasagne is my death row meal.
Tell me an interesting thing about yourself.
Really the only interesting thing about me is our children. We had three children in 13 months, all now grown up and far better versions of us than we deserve.
Caroline Raybould – HR Manager
What’s your favourite thing about working at The HR department?
The variety we experience. I never know what the question will be when I pick up the phone. My last job was repetitive but here, each business is different – you could be asked the same question by every client, but every answer will be different depending on their business. Every day is so different.
How did you get into HR?
I went to uni to do business management and realised how many people were on the course. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get a job in that field and so I changed my degree to a Joint Honours because HR had been my favourite part of business studies at school. I ended up in a HR placement for year 3 of my uni course and I absolutely loved it. My career went from there…
What did you want to do as a child?
I’ve always been fascinated by hospitals but in hindsight I don’t know what job I would have done because I don’t like blood.
Tell me an interesting thing about yourself.
I’m a fully qualified Open Water PADI scuba diver – I qualified in Egypt and Mexico with my Dad.
If you can swap places with anyone for the day, who would it be?
I cant decide between Beyonce, the Prime Minister or my Cat – they all have such different lives and I’d be intrigued by them all!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Relaxing at home with friends or family. We moved from a flat into our first house last year and so spend a lot of time doing DIY to turn it into our perfect family home.
What is the strangest HR query you have ever had?
I can think of lots of funny ones! Any investigations involving social media are my favourite, but I once had someone go AWOL from night shift by jumping over the wall so they could sneak off home, and I wish we’d caught it on CCTV to play in the disciplinary hearing!
What’s the best advice you were ever given and who was it from?
I don’t think anyone told me this, but occasionally I need to remind myself that nothing lasts forever – both good and bad! I first started thinking it when I took up running in winter, reminding myself I’d be home in the warm and relaxing on the sofa soon! But it applies to the good and bad in life; the bad will pass eventually but so will the good things, so make the most of them.
What is your favourite meal and dessert?
Nothing too fancy – a great pizza and some hot cookie dough for pud, and I’m very happy.
Stacy Hopkin – HR Advisor
What is your favourite thing about working at The HR department?
The clients. Definitely the lovely people I get to talk to every day.
How did you get into HR?
When I was 16, I did a YTS in which some placements were in HR and I loved it, I have done it ever since. To be honest, I had no idea what HR even was until I started the placements!
What is your favourite book?
My favourite book is The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. Although, it’s closely followed by all of the Harry Potters which I’m currently reading to my daughter.
If you can swap places with anyone for the day, who would it be?
My daughter does performing arts and I always think how much fun it looks to be singing and dancing on stage, but I have never had the courage (or talent!) to do so, so maybe someone from the West End or Broadway! But swapping for one day would definitely be enough for me!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I really enjoy cooking, it is a real passion. My dream would be to grow home produce in my own garden and then use them cooking in a really amazing kitchen!
What is the strangest HR query you have ever had?
Probably a stand out “strange” one was when I received a phone call from an employee saying he couldn’t contact his manager but was phoning to say he was going home because he had rubbed a salt and vinegar crisps in his eye!
What’s the best advice you were ever given and who was it from?
My nan always used to tell me to appreciate life because it goes so fast and it will be over before you know it. At the time I didn’t believe her, but as an adult with a job, a family of my own and studying part time it feels like my days are whizzing past me too fast – my nan was spot on and I do try and slow down and appreciate the wonderful things that surround me, that otherwise I might take for granted.
What is your favourite meal and dessert?
This is a really hard one, but if I really had to choose it would be a Lamb Rogan Josh, with a garlic naan and favourite pudding is tiramisu. Yes – I know two completely different cuisines!
Tell me something interesting about yourself.
I own a square foot land in Scotland which means I could use the title Lady!
You can also read more about the HR Dept North Birmingham here! – Who We Are – HR Dept North Birmingham B74 4QY
