In Your Shoes - Jeni McCabe

Jeni McCabe is a Director with SCRSolutions Ltd, a Dundee City Centre based HR consultancy which also offers employment law and health & safety services to local businesses. 

Jeni started SCRSolutions Ltd in 2008 and has been steadily growing the business ever since.  With the recent move to their new offices in South Tay Street, she has been able to expand the range of services offered to employers and now includes How-to HR training and IOSH health & safety training. 

Jeni has a broad range of clients within Dundee & Angus as well as other Scottish cities.  She enjoys getting out of the office and visiting her clients.  “By going to visit my clients, I get a fuller understanding of them and their business which helps me to do a better job for them.  I also get to meet their employees and it’s nice for them to know who I am and what I’ll be doing.  It’s a very personal service that I offer, not just a faceless contact.” 

A great start to 2017!

It’s been a busy start to the year with 2 new Employers’ Support Package clients signed up and the launch of our new How-to HR and IOSH health & safety training programmes.  On top of this, I am delivering 2 free events during Dundee Business Week in February.  All this on top of my normal workload.  Thankfully, I have a great team to support me.  So this morning I am focusing on the Dundee Business Week training plan for Tribunal Proof Dismissals.  My afternoon goes by fast as I support a pay-as-you client with a tricky dismissal appeal issue.  I still have time to check out the Evening Tele as I have a feature article in the Working Life section on the How-to HR training programme. 

In a bit of a Jam

This morning I am at Mackays Ltd in Arbroath.  There’s lots to do as they have over 150 employees and I am their only outsourced HR support.  First task is to review the annual absence rates for 2016 and prepare the report for Martin Grant, MD.  Next up is a planning meeting with the Factory Manager, Kay Neave to discuss the format and content of the forthcoming CeeD event that I am delivering during Dundee Business Week.  Kay will provide a real-life case study on retention in the manufacturing sector.  We also catch up on a couple of staffing issues.  With that all done, I’m off to the Apex in Dundee for a couple of meetings this afternoon.

Putting the brakes on

My morning starts with a relaxing drive through the beautiful Scottish countryside to Brechin.  Matrix International Ltd is a leading manufacturer of electromagnetic fail safe brakes.  They have almost 100 employees and I am, again, their only HR support.  Today’s tasks include arranging training for staff, consulting on the new annual appraisal system for weekly paid employees, attending the weekly operations meeting and reviewing the employee well-being services. I also have a quick meeting with the finance team to discuss absences and holidays. The evening is spent preparing for my meetings tomorrow. 

It’s all change

The day starts at a clients’ premises in Dundee to inform the staff of forthcoming changes to the business structure.  The meeting goes well and we’ll follow up with consultation meetings next week. Next I’m off to see Julie Aberdein, MD at Parker Signs.  As an Employers’ Support Package client, I’m updating the staff handbook policies and employment contracts.  Back at the office, I get to work on the updates. Just after lunch I have a very productive meeting with a new Employers’ Support Package client, Athol Shepherd from Piccolo.  I will be updating his employment contracts and staff handbook policies too.  Before the end of the day, I review the training plan for the first How-to HR session on recruitment, selection and induction which will be held on 26th January.   

Unlucky for some?

I’m not superstitious so it's a normal day for me.  Today starts with an interview for a potential intern to help me over the summer.  Then it’s back to the office for a meeting with a potential new client, fingers crossed!  I have some time to catch up on some emails and paperwork before meeting a business friend for lunch.  This afternoon, I make a guest appearance at BNI, a local business networking group.  My 60 second pitch is focused on the health & safety consulting services and the IOSH health & safety training that we offer.  It’s really nice to catch up with some old acquaintances and meet some new people too.  Back at the office, I get ready for next week which consists of more client meetings, contract and policy updates, training preparation, interviews, a disciplinary hearing and other HR projects.  I truly love what I do.