Test Owner
Employee Spotlight - Beth
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT - RECRUITER - BETH
@ SER since November 2021 - Telecoms & IT
What do you love most about your job?
I'd be lying if I didn't say earning the money haha, but I do love speaking to new people everyday, and dealing with existing clients and building relationships on a personal level.
What do you think sets you apart in your field?
I have come across a lot of recruiters in my sector who don't follow the process, I think what sets me apart is the fact I will follow the process through from cradle to grave, ensuring the full process is carried out smoothly for my candidate and client, and I also take time out to learn technical elements within my sector
Tell us a bit about your family?
I am very lucky to have such a close family, I have all my 4 grandparents who I am extremely grateful for, they even designed a tattoo of mine without them knowing! We're all avid Burnley supporters (SU!) And all extremely close. I have 2 nieces Elsie and Mabel and I love being an auntie.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Me and my fiancé Keri love a festival or a gig. I love going to see live bands such as Courteeners and Arctic Monkeys, when I'm stood in a field with a beer in hand with live music, you know life is gooood ????
Why did you choose to pursue a career in your field? I'll be honest I didn't! From 3 years old I trained in dance and was lucky enough to get a scholarship for a professional dance college when I left school. I did get injured with my knee and ended up falling out of love with the industry and discovered the world of sales, and then recruitment... and never looked back. What's something that you've always wanted to try or learn? Being a huge indie music lover, I've always wanted to learn to play the guitar, but I don't have the patience (or time) What do you think is your biggest contribution to the team? The banter, the lols and the motivation hahaha How has your role evolved since you joined the team? Working more senior positions within the industry, the desk I originally went on only really had low end positions at the time, I'd like to think I've evolved the desk, brought on high end business', and worked more senior roles within the industry. What's the best trip you've ever been on, and why? 100% New York City with my fiancé back in 2019, it was thanksgiving parade at the time, and traveling the other side of the world to my dream destination was so special and something I'll never forget, and to finish the holiday we did a helicopter ride over the city- AMAZING! Special memory from my childhood? I was very lucky to have an incredibly special childhood, being taken to Australia to meet my auntie for the first time (who ended up flying back to England so we didn't even see her) was a very amazing and privilege in my childhood that I'll never ever forget! Do you have any strategies for dealing with stress at work? Always take your 5 minutes, whilst recruitment is a high demanding stressful job, you cannot let it neg you out! Take your 5 minutes, do what you need to do, and remember there will always be bad and good days, it's a very fluctuating job but incredibly rewarding.
Staff Retention
COST OF LIVING CRISIS
From both a personal and business perspective, financial stress can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing, productivity, and job satisfaction. Weekly 10 have come up with some great tips to enable businesses to support employees through tough economic times.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, employers must recognise the importance of supporting employees through these challenging times. As well as being morally right to support employees during times of economic hardship, there are also business benefits.
PRIORITISE EMPLOYEE WELLBEING
Employees are facing higher (than normal) levels of stress at work and home. During the cost-of-living crisis, employers, managers & leaders have a moral responsibility to look out for their employees.
Job losses, financial uncertainty, falling engagement and increased productivity are a bad recipe for employee wellbeing. Its about finding a balance. Healthy employees = healthy business. TRANSPARENCY As an ethic that spans science, engineering, business, and the humanities, transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. Transparency implies openness, communication, and accountability DEVELOP HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS When employees have positive working relationships, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged in their work. Employee relations—the way managers and HR representatives at your company interact with employees —can have a huge impact on your workplace culture. Maintaining positive employee relations helps to improve staff morale, reduce workplace conflict and ultimately increased productivity and job satisfaction. FOSTER A FUTURE FOCUS A growth mindset helps employees to positively future gaze. This promotes openness to change and adaptation and enables healthy responses to challenges and problems. Being future-focused is about thinking about the future, anticipating obstacles and planning ahead. It's keeping up-to-date with changes and developments, responding to key trends and being able to prepare and plan for the future.
When leaders admit to negative situations or acknowledge uncertainty, employees feel safer and more secure. If you can't afford the usual bonus, be honest! Tell employees how you do plan to support them. Honesty creates a sense of psychological safety.
Employers & employees who are future-focused are keen to learn, update their knowledge and can recover from setbacks to help them achieve their goals.
Employee Spotlight - Michael
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT - RECRUITER - MICHAEL
@ SER March 23 - Telecoms & IT
1. What inspired you to join the team here?
Recruitment is something I have always seen myself doing and I heard many good things about SER Limited, so it was a no brainer really!
2. What are your career goals?
I want to become the best recruiter I can be as well as earn a lot of money!
3. What would your perfect weekend look like?
Being in Ibiza from Friday till Sunday night watching my favourite DJ's with my friends at Ushuaia.
4. When did you first know that you wanted to pursue a career in this field?
I have a few friends who work in recruitment and they have always told me what a good job it is so ever since then really. Plus, a certain Lee Puxty told me about SER as a company.
5. Do you follow any sports teams?
I am a big Liverpool F.C fan both because of family and because a certain Steven Gerrard is the best English midfielder ever.
6. What's something that you've always wanted to try or learn?
I want to learn how to speak fluent Spanish.
7. What is the most important lesson that you've learned from working with the team?
That everyone is here to help.
8. What do you think is the most important skill that you bring to the table?
A can-do attitude for sure.
9. What are some of your favourite travel/vacation memories?
My first skiing trip in Italy with college, running away from the college teachers into the town centre to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United in the pub with a few bottles of corona (which we weren't allowed to do obviously).
10. What's your favourite memory from working at the company?
Not my first placement dance for sure! Probably the SER sports day and night do.
11. What do you enjoy most about working here?
The office environment for sure.
12. Do you have any strategies for dealing with stress at work?
Tesco meal deal always de-stress's me hahaha!
13. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still in recruitment as a senior recruitment consultant hopefully.
14. What do you think our future looks like as a team?
SER in my eyes is only going in one direction and that is forward.
15. What is your favourite food?
Chateaubriand especially from a certain restaurant in Spain.
16. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
New Zealand to see my family.
Paternity Leave
Paternity leave laws set to change
The Government has committed to making changes to paternity leave entitlements for the first time in several years. • The changes will mean all employers will have to review their current policies and practices because the finer details of the paternity leave entitlement are affected, though no implementation date has yet been set. • Currently, qualifying employees have a right to a maximum of two weeks' paternity leave which must be taken and completed within 56 days of the birth or adoption placement. Employees can take one week of leave but if they do, they lose the right to take the second week so their total entitlement reduces to one week. • Employees must let employers know of the dates they want to take paternity leave by the 15th week before the expected week of • The proposed changes to the law mean that employees will be able to choose to take two separate blocks of one week of paternity leave. • Employees will only need to notify employers of their entitlement to leave by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth and then will need to give the dates of their leave 28 days before they actually want to take it.
childbirth.
• The period during which leave can be taken will increase from 56 days to one year.
What's in it for you?
Here at SER Limited we pride ourselves on taking referrals.
WHY?! 1) It's completely free data! What's in it for you?
Imagine, you interview 10 candidates a day. You take 2 referrals from EACH candidate, that's 20 extra candidates on your books which are in your industry!
2) Good, industry-relevant candidates!
If it was me, I would only 'refer' someone who is good at what they do right? That's talented candidates in your industry which no one else will have access to!
Why don't people take them or ask for them? It's a no brainer!
If you refer someone and then we successfully place them, we offer £250 worth of L2S Vouchers!
It's getting HOT in here!
It's getting hot in here!
Working when it is hot can be a real challenge.
The UK may not typically be associated with soaring temperatures and endless blue skies but heatwaves are becoming increasingly common. When these hot days occur, it can be difficult for people to stay cool at work.
Because extreme hot weather is relatively infrequent, many employees and even employers may not know the best approach for staying cool at work and what the law states about working in hot weather. The good news is that there are legal requirements and guidance in place to help businesses address the issue of working in the heat.
Can I refuse to work if it's too hot??
Surprisingly there is no maximum temperatures set in the UK that state employees must be sent home - However, there is still a legal requirement on employers to manage the health and safety risks to employees, and this includes those that can be posed by a work environment, such as excessive heat. Employers must ensure that they take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of their workers during high temperatures. Access to fans, cold drinks etc
How can I keep cool a hot office?
Drinking plenty of water and/or cold drinks throughout the day to stay hydrated. Taking frequent breaks, in a cooler area if possible, to regain concentration and rest. Keeping blinds, shutters, and curtains closed on sun-facing windows. Wearing light-coloured, loose clothing. Avoid dark colours and heavy fabrics, especially if working in direct sun, as dark colours absorb the heat whereas light colours reflect it.
SER Fun Day - Team Building
FUN DAY @ SER
Here at SER we promote regular team building events as we believe that they create a stronger team through forming bonds and connections. Creating these bonds through team building is very beneficial to our business. We have found the benefits of team building include increased communication, planning skills, employee motivation, and employee collaboration. Fun activities that help people see each other in a different light allow them to connect in a different setting.
Our most recent team building event was a Sports Day held in the office!
Below is a list of the events and the points system – no more info was given on the events until the day. Joe - Associated Director / Event Planner, kept everything under wraps!!
EVENTS:
- Quizzie Rasc
- al – all day event
- You can’t pull the wool over my eyes
- Absolute Bobbins
- HOT HOT HOT
- Come fly with me
- Hot off the Press Up
- Gerry Cinnamon Challenge
- Play your Cards right!
- Whats the crack?
- Squat till you drop.
- Lip Sync Battle – 2 members required
- EASR
- You either like me or you don’t challenge
- Bullseye
- Candle in the wind
- The Big Build – full team event
- The Big Finale – full team event
Everyone had a fantastic day and put an amazing effort into their team fancy dresses!!
And finally a massive congratulations to the winning team - Sumos - Ben, Courtney, Bec & Lee
Employee Spotlight - Becky
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT - MANAGERS - BECKY
@ SER since 2014 - Water & Environmental
Professional
What do you love most about your job?
I love being able to help candidates find the next position whether it be a Trainee role or Senior Management, I also absolutely love finding candidates to emigrate to New Zealand and start a new life. On the client side, I enjoy getting to know my clients and building long lasting, healthy relationships with them
What do you think sets you apart in your field?
I think that I'm always honest and open with my clients, I don't over promise candidates. I also feel my level of knowledge within my industry really helps
Personal
Tell us a bit about your family.
I have been married for a little over a year but have been with my husband for 6 years. He is called James and is a Security Systems Service Engineer. I have a 7-year-old stepdaughter called Phoebe and a 4 year old son called Jaxon and we live in Manchester.
What's something surprising that not many people know about you?
When I was younger, I auditioned at the Royal School of Ballet and got down to the final 10 girls out of 50, which is a massive achievement as it's very cut throat.
Interests and Passions
What are some of your favourite local spots to visit?
I live in North Manchester, so we regularly visit Heaton Park, Burrs Park and Smithills Farm
What type of books/movies do you enjoy?
True Crime documentaries are a favourite, I have recently read "Love as always, Mum" which is book written by Rose West's daughter. I also love a good chick flick/rom com (so does my husband but he would never admit to that)
Team contributions
How has your role evolved since you joined the team?
I joined SER Ltd back in 2014 with no sales experience and no recruitment experience. Over the course of this time, I have gone through the ranks of Trainee Recruiter, Recruitment Consultant, Senior Recruitment Consultant and more recently Recruitment Team Leader
What is the most important lesson that you've learned from working with the team?
Everyone has a different approach to recruitment, but we all follow the same process. I regularly hear really good questions from consultants within the office and put it into practice. "Every day is a school day"
Favourite memories
What special moments have you shared with loved ones recently?
My son Jaxon turned 4 earlier in the year and we celebrated at his favourite farm with all of his friends and family.
What's the best trip you've ever been on and why?
My dad took me to New York for my 16th birthday and we visited Ground Zero, The Statue of Liberty, Macy's, Bloomingdales etc. It's somewhere I had always wanted to go when I was younger and also seeing Ground Zero as it was, was very surreal
Work habits and preferences
What methods or tools do you use to stay organized?
I always create a list the day before of what I need to do and tick if off as I go along. Having a structure is so important when working in recruitment
What do you enjoy most about working here?
We have a great culture, and everyone supports each other.
Thoughts on the future
What do you think our future looks like as a team?
I think we are going to continue grow as a company. Not just staffing wise but adapting to change within each industry that we specialise in
What are you looking forward to in your current role?
To continue to develop my team
Getting to know you
What is your favourite food?
I mean most food is a solid 10/10 for me but Italian is my favourite food and dippy eggs and soldiers is my comfort food
If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Hawaii has been on my bucket list for a long time now and I am lucky enough to say that my husband and myself will be travelling to Honolulu in September 2023 for our honeymoon
12 Years - Thanks Wendy - we love you
12 years with SER Ltd
Charity Night 29th July 2023
Charity Night in support of Pendleside Hospice
Saturday 29th July
As part of our continual support to the Charity Pendleside Hospice, SER Ltd will be hosting “An Evening of Music & Fun”.
The event will take place on Saturday the 29th of July 2023 and will be held at Accrington Stanley Football Club and their 1968 suite which holds more than 200 people.
The evening will start at 7pm and begin with local singer John Gallagher performing his unique covers of well known Country, Blues and Rock classics. Moving on there will be fun and games including a on going highest score darts competition, stand up bingo and of course the compulsory charity auction that will include some fantastic ideas that you can bid for.
Moving on will be pie and peas supper and finishing with Liverpool based band Chart Attack performing two sets of pop classics until Midnight.
100% of the proceeds will go to the wonderful charity that is Pendleside Hospice.
Tickets are priced at £25 each and available from SER Limited – info@serlimited.com / 01254 781300
