Organisation: Queensland Health – Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Job Title: People and Culture Advisor
Word Limit: Maximum 1–2 pages
Location: Mackay
I hold eight years of experience in human resources, along with five years of experience as a Senior Legal
Assistant. My passion and interest lies with human resource management, in which I am seeking to secure
my next long term opportunity, allowing me to develop my skills in an advisory capacity.
My previous role of Human Resource Manager at Kelly Legal has provided me with the demonstrated ability
to undertake contemporary human resource management, and oversee the development of human
resource policies and procedures in a complex environment. Kelly Legal is a Queensland based law firm,
providing legal services to clients on all legal matters, my responsibilities within this organisation included,
management of a workforce of 30 employees. This experience has provided me with great exposure to
human resource management principles and practices.
Working in a legal environment has a unique array of complexities when dealing with internal employee
related matters, such as policy advice, development of human resource related procedures, and resolution
of workplace issues. My primary accountability within this role, was to oversee the recruitment
management function by performing the end to end recruitment process; advertising the job, reviewing
resumes, short listing applications, conducting interviews, preparation of paperwork and finally, offering
the job. Throughout this process, I liaised with senior management, internal, and external stakeholders,
ensuring actions were compliant with the relevant policy.
In addition, my key responsibilities included, overseeing the function of the workplace health and safety
officer, rehabilitation officer, and contact officer, for genuine complaints of discrimination, harassment, and
bullying. I case managed confidential complaints from employees, and dealt with them in accordance with
the relevant policy and procedure. When I handled these complaints, I demonstrated strong
communication skills, maintained a professional manner, and confidentiality.
Another key responsibility included the management, and administration of the payroll function, I provided
hands on management, and direction to the overall payroll process, ensured deadlines were met,
undertook analysis, and utilised my payroll knowledge to resolve issues, ensured compliance with the
relevant industry award, and successfully delivered payroll activities. This included a pay run of 30
employees, Directors, and Board Members on a fortnightly pay cycle.
Whilst overseeing the payroll function for Kelly Legal, I came across an issue when I returned from leave; it
was evident that when entering the three new employee’s details into the payroll system, it was incorrect,
overlooking their annual leave loading. I immediately identified this issue, and started investigating the
reasons, and causes behind the error. It became apparent that the person administering the payroll in my
absence had neglected to tick a box within the system, and had effectively resulted in these three
employees missing their annual leave loading payment for a period of eight months. This error was in
breach of the award and required rectification.
To resolve the issue, I calculated their entitlements in accordance with the award, raised the issue with the
appropriate Director, and gained the required approval for payment, consulted with the affected
employees, and identified and processed the payment in the payroll system. The outcome was positive,
their correct entitlements were back paid, and I developed a process that ensuring the application of leave
loading to all new and existing employees for any future pay runs.
Throughout my career, I have ensured that I implemented processes that were favourable for the
organisation, as well as meeting the expectations of the client. Working within a customer-focused
environment has allowed me to develop the necessary skills to enable me to manage people accordingly,
and seek resolutions in a timely manner. My experiences demonstrate my ability to deliver quality centered
services to an array of professionals, including, management, internal employees, external stakeholders,
Directors, and members of the Board.
It was integral for me to communicate effectively, consult, and negotiate, with all levels across the
organisation, I successfully demonstrated this when I was engaged in one of my responsibilities of leading
and directing a team of seven Legal Assistants. I would communicate our objectives clearly, and regularly,
ensuring the meeting of strict deadlines, and the efficient operation of the team. A key objective included,
assisting the Solicitors in critical legal matters, and ensuring they were able to meet client expectations. I
consulted with my team on a daily basis, and allocated work tasks for completion, at times negotiating
permitting priorities with other internal stakeholders.
I would attempt to provide as much notice as possible for periods of larger workload. I did this by
communicating continually with the Solicitors, and remaining aware of all large, pending conferences, or
court matters. In communicating with the legal assistants in my team, I would remain encouraging and
approachable, leading by example, and displaying effective leadership skills. As I was additionally
responsible for the annual performance appraisals of the employees, I was able to mentor, and tutor each
assistant, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Working within a law firm for most of my career has provided me with a great insight on the interpretation
of legislations, and their real life application. I am experienced with the Legal Services Modern Award 2010,
and the Fair Work Act, 2009, among other employment related legislation. In addition, I have provided
policy interpretation on matters such as workplace health and safety, leave queries, rosters, recruitment,
payroll, training, remuneration and benefits, disciplinary, performance management, grievances,
discrimination, harassment and bullying.
This has also equipped me with the essential skills and exposure to human resource management practices,
specifically employment equity, anti-discrimination, workplace health and safety, and ethical behaviour.
Working for a law firm requires more than the usual standard of compliance regarding relevant policies,
legislative, and industrial instruments.
Working alongside Solicitors, law clerks, and paralegals, has given me mentoring opportunities, further
developing my skills and key attributes. This complimented with my demonstrated capability in human
resources management, will provide me with a unique approach in my next human resources role.
