Matt Malone, head of HR
Article Type: Practitioner profile From: Strategic HR Review, Volume 12, Issue 6
HR executives share their experience in human resources
He wanted to work in a Marine Park when he left school but Matt Malone readily admits he did not have a natural ability to grasp marine biology. It was his rapport with people in a range of jobs that was noticed and set him on a career path that now sees him head up HR for Bath-based solicitors, Mogers.
Malone works closely with Employment partner, Sean McDonough, to offer businesses “All HR, which encompasses employment law as well as tackling traditional HR issues, policies and procedures.
The changing face of HR
According to Malone, the HR of old did not typically factor in the needs of the business; it was always focused on looking after the people. Today it has to be about the people but also remain business led and, sometimes, he says, that means some tough choices.Its never easy to let someone go. I like to take a situation like that and make it as palatable as possible for both sides. Many people dont realize that employers also get upset and distraught by making decisions like this; then having to sit across a table and tell someone they have worked with for years, that for whatever reason they have to leave. I understand the employer/employee relationship isnt always harmonious and difficulties do come up, but working to defuse conflict and resolve issues is an aspect I enjoy. Active listening and communication skills are vital.The recession has also brought a plethora of new businesses as people decide to take the plunge with an idea they have had for a while. Malone advises:It is important they remember that staff are the biggest resource and probably the biggest cost for any company; fledgling companies often stumble at the first hurdle if they havent got the right HR policies, procedures and people management skills in place.
Working together with employment law specialists
Mogers has been innovative with its approach to HR and employment law by integrating both services for clients. Malone comments:For me this has meant I can see the commercial situation, as well as the people. Everything you do operationally as a business should be right first time; there arent second chances, it isnt a rehearsal By underpinning HR with pure legal expertise we can give a rounded, robust approach on how a business manages their employer/employee relationships.The firm offers two styles of service – the provision of ongoing employment and HR support and advice, or an input of expertise for specific situations. Malone says:What we have found is that when we are contacted for a tricky staff issue, such as a dismissal, we talk with and get to know our client, and discover there are broader, underlying challenges, which in some cases have led to a full company restructure, including job redesign and redundancies.Getting this wrong can cost businesses valuable time, money and reputational damage. We work with our clients to make sure they are compliant within a legal framework with the aim of getting the desired outcome in the quickest and most cost-effective way.
Money is not always the answer
One of the biggest challenges for HR work is keeping motivation high. Malone believes creativity is the key when, as a rule these days, people tend to be working more for less. He says:We have to be creative with reward elements. Money is often perceived to be the biggest motivator but in actual fact it is not always true. If you take time to talk to people and listen to them, you find out it is about being challenged or being given interesting work to do.
About the author
Matt Malone is head of HR at Bath based solicitors, Mogers. He is a chartered member (MCIPD) of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. He spent ten years working at the Audit Commission and NHS in Bristol, where he qualified at the University of West of England with a post graduate diploma in Human Resource Management, before joining Mogers in June 2008. Matt Malone can be contacted at: mattmalone@mogers.co.uk
Matt Malone
Matt Malone is Head of HR at Mogers, Bath, UK
