HR is one of the most integral and necessary elements of a growing business. As more and more employees join a team and swell the ranks of a developing enterprise, the needs and reliance upon the time and energy of the HR team will grow exponentially. HR’s role in business success is something of constant note.
This is true of all businesses. At SD Worx Ireland, HR is one of our specialties, and so it makes sense that it holds such an important and valuable place in our working life.
We sat down with Amanda Sadlier, Ireland People Lead, and Áine Shepherd, HR Generalist at SD Worx, to gain valuable insights into HR’s role in shaping the company’s future. SD Worx has also been recognised for its outstanding contributions to the HR landscape, including winning the Best Place to Work award at the Workplace Excellence Awards 2023. Additionally, our very own Áine Shepherd was shortlisted for the HR Rising Star award this year—a testament to the strength and innovation of our HR team.
HR is the heart and soul of any company, shaping the values, beliefs, and behaviours that make up its culture. In Ireland, HR professionals are key to creating a harmonious workplace by ensuring new hires fit in with the company’s ethos. They boost employee engagement and satisfaction through top-notch training programmes, performance management systems, and recognition schemes. By fostering open communication and addressing any concerns, HR helps build a positive and inclusive environment where employees feel appreciated and motivated. In the end, HR’s efforts in nurturing a strong organisational culture leads to higher morale, increased productivity, and long-term success for the business. When it comes down to it, HR forms one of the areas of business most aligned with growth – through people, upskilling, and more.
Lots of areas within HR drive growth - through talent acquisition and recruitment, for example. You’re always working to find individuals with the best skills for the business, so you can support the business in meeting organisational objectives. Then you're hoping to provide skills, training and development to your team on the ground, and foster continuous growth for the person and the business itself, adding growth through individuals.
HR is responsible for defining and promoting a workplace environment that aligns with the company’s mission and goals. Through strategic recruitment, onboarding, training, and continuous development, HR ensures that employees not only understand the company’s core values but also embody them in their daily roles. By fostering open communication, supporting diversity, and encouraging professional growth, HR cultivates a positive culture that enhances employee engagement, productivity, and long-term success. As Amanda Sadlier says, “You’re always working to make sure you have the right kind of people in your business – people who want to grow alongside the business!”
HR is responsible for attracting the right candidates to fill open positions within the company, by creating lists, conducting interviews, and working to ultimately select the best individuals for the job. Effective recruitment strategies ensure that the business hires individuals who not only have the necessary skills but also align with the company’s values and culture.
Once a candidate is hired, HR oversees the onboarding process, which is critical for integrating new employees into the company. This includes orientation sessions, training programs, and providing the necessary resources to help new hires settle into their roles. A smooth onboarding process can significantly reduce the time it takes for new employees to become productive members of the team.
Retaining talent is just as important as recruiting it. HR implements various strategies to keep employees engaged and satisfied with their jobs. This includes offering competitive compensation packages, benefits, and opportunities for career development. Regular performance reviews, feedback sessions, and recognition programs help employees feel valued and motivated. Additionally, HR fosters a positive work environment by addressing employee concerns, promoting work-life balance, and ensuring open communication channels.
SD Worx is very good for their work-life balance, and cares about you as a person. They care about you and your family life, who is around you. They want you to go and take a break, holiday, get away from work. They encourage out of offices, switch off, have a break and rejuvenate. is is key nowadays when we have flexibility to work in different places and different work patterns.
Having HR introducing and working constantly on policies for better mental health and wellness among colleagues is key when it comes to keeping talent on-board and engaged for longer. This is exemplified by HR giving a focus to employee development and further education.
HR plays a vital role in the continuous development of employees, ensuring they have the skills and opportunities to grow within the company. At SD Worx, we offer a wide range of internal training sessions, workshops, and professional development programs designed to help employees enhance their competencies and advance their careers.
Our employees can independently access these resources through the SD Worx Academy, or they can request team-specific training sessions for collaborative growth. Additionally, SD Worx encourages employees to pursue external training and further education beyond internal offerings, viewing it as a valuable investment in both personal and organisational success. By fostering continuous learning, we ensure our workforce remains agile and ready to tackle future challenges.
One of HR’s most critical roles is ensuring the company complies with labour laws, regulations, and data protection standards such as GDPR. At SD Worx, our HR team stays ahead of the latest changes in employment law and implements internal policies that align with these requirements. This proactive approach not only minimises legal risks but also builds a strong, compliant foundation that supports sustainable business growth – key to all stages of development, from SME onwards!
HR is involved in the provision of a host of employee benefits and schemes, such as Maternity and Parent’s Leave, to name but a few. HR is also integral when it comes to managing employee leave, and even more relevant today than ever before, remote work.
At SD Worx, we employ the Fair and Care Initiative, which is all about ensuring that employees across the board, and indeed, across many different countries, as is the fact for SD Worx, are looked after and provided for in a fair and equable way.
The Fair and Care Initiative makes sure that as a company and a whole, we are caring for everyone - not just in silos. A lot of initiatives are becoming group wide and more uniform. Engagement is a big thing. We have always been great an engaging the business, and, as a new part of the SD Worx family, it's key over the next few years for us to feel connected to the company we're getting part of. That’s why this Initiative will be so important to implement.
The ‘H’ in HR stands for human – and this is something that you can’t forget. Employees need a resource that they can rely on for help and support during the challenging times and the joyful times in their lives. We spoke to Amanda and Áine about their recent examples of this.
Supporting people in their retirement is something that we are passionate about, which we start off by providing a course. When people come off the course, we find that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We like to prepare people for the future after work. Having people feel like they have been listened to - that's such a massive thing. That’s where the company is brilliant, because we are given the time to do that. We are able to support people at times in life when they need support, whether they’re preparing for a baby, going through a challenging time, looking for a house, or are simply early career, and looking for support. HR can be there to support them.
There are a plethora of untold histories between HR staff and the colleagues who come to them looking for assistance and support, and it is wonderful to be able to share a few nice stories which the team was happy to share with us. Áine was able to share with us a recent interaction with a colleague who was able to use her Parental Leave in advance, telling us that “she expressed her gratitude towards the company in allowing her this time back with her family. She feels she has been able to dedicate time to her children and also put effort into researching important things like secondary school research for her son. She is so pleased.”
Stories like this showcase how important the human element of HR is to every business, no matter what stage you might be at. We understand that HR is more than just a function—it's the backbone of every successful business. From shaping organisational culture to driving growth through talent acquisition, employee development, and compliance, HR plays a vital role in ensuring both the well-being of employees and the future success of the company. By fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where people feel valued, HR enables businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing world. As we continue to grow and evolve, our commitment to empowering our people remains at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that SD Worx, and the businesses we support, are ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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