Introduction
King & Co. collaborated with a medium-sized family business specialising in stone imports and benchtop manufacturing. With 40 employees and recent expansion, the client faced challenges balancing operational needs with employee leave entitlements, particularly during the annual two-week Christmas closedown. Our comprehensive HR and H&S support helped navigate a complex employee relations issue, ensuring compliance, improving workplace culture, and mitigating risk.
Challenges Faced
- Leave Management: Balancing production and installation schedules with leave entitlements while managing the liability on the balance sheet.
- Interpersonal Conflict: Employee resistance to working with a specific lead installer, leading to workplace tension.
- Employee-Manager Dispute: A heated exchange between the manager and employee resulted in allegations of bullying, harassment, intimidation, and inappropriate behaviour on both sides.
- Workplace Culture: A workplace norm of swearing contributed to conflict and blurred professional boundaries.
Solutions Implemented
- HR Investigation: Conducted a thorough investigation, including statements from both parties and witnesses, and reviewed camera footage to establish facts.
- Conflict Resolution: Facilitated mutual apologies between the employee and manager to de-escalate tensions.
- Leadership Development: Provided training for management on handling difficult conversations, setting professional boundaries, and managing employees fairly and compliantly.
- Documentation Improvements: Highlighted the importance of documenting all meetings, chats, and toolbox talks to ensure accurate records and compliance.
Results & Achievements
- Conflict Resolution: Resolved the dispute without disciplinary action, maintaining workplace harmony.
- Cultural Awareness: Emphasized the need for cultural change, including setting professional behaviour standards.
- Manager Training: Enhanced the management team’s ability to handle difficult conversations and enforce compliance.
- Employee Accountability: Placed the employee on notice to improve attitude and cooperation, with clear expectations for future behaviour.
Financial Benefits
- Risk Mitigation: Thorough investigation and documentation reduced the risk of personal grievance claims
- Operational Continuity: Swift resolution ensured minimal disruption to production and installation schedules.
- Liability Management: Improved leave management practices reduced liability on the balance sheet and ensured compliance.
Key Takeaways
- Train Your Leaders: Equip managers with the skills to handle conflicts and set a professional workplace tone.
- Address Issues Early: Engage in conversations with employees as soon as challenges arise to prevent escalation.
- Document Everything: Maintain detailed records of meetings, discussions, and toolbox talks to support compliance and accountability.
- Act in Good Faith: Ensure fairness and professionalism in all situations to uphold employment law and foster trust.
Testimonial
Your services and assistance created ease and security for the business through this touchy and challenging process. You emphasised the need for cultural change in the workplace and internal management training to handle difficult conversations and incidents, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks to the business.
Conclusion
Through a fair, thorough, and collaborative approach, King & Co. enabled the client to resolve interpersonal conflict, improve leadership capabilities, and address compliance issues. These efforts not only strengthened the business’s operational stability but also laid the foundation for a positive and professional workplace culture. We remain committed to supporting the client as they continue to grow and evolve.
See More Like This
Revitalising HR Practices for Compliance and Growth: A Small Business Success Story
Overcoming Human Resources Challenges and Achieving Legislative Compliance
Partnered with a client to overhaul HR policies, improving compliance, satisfaction, and financial outcomes.