THESE are uncertain times for employers and employees alike.

The economic climate has put the emphasis firmly on keeping costs under control – and often that means companies are having to look at restructuring and job losses.

Human resources specialist Helen Casson is in the thick of it – as firms seek her advice and help.

“Businesses are looking at changes terms and conditions so the business is flexible enough to carry on,” she says. “They are making sure their policies and procedures are fit for purpose. That can mean redundancies and transferring of businesses.”

At the same time, Helen is also being called on more often to investigate employee grievance claims – another sign of the times, she believes.

So, exciting times to set up your own business, then!

Helen, 32, launched her firm, Vibrant HR, only last September from offices in Skelmanthorpe. But she can call on extensive experience in the industry, having worked with both public and private sector clients.

Doncaster-born Helen went to Huddersfield University to take a degree in business studies. “Huddersfield was far enough to get away from home – and close enough to come back when I wanted!” she says. “I always knew I would work in some sort of commercial or corporate environment. There was an HR module in my first year and that’s what changed my career path for me. It was a bit of a ‘eureka’ moment. HR was something I was really good at and passionate about.”

Helen also took the opportunity to gain qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development during her second year at Huddersfield. “I went to university during the year tuition fees were introduced,” she says. “Getting the CIPD qualification while I was at Huddersfield was an opportunity to get two qualifications for the price of one!”

On graduation, Helen had a bachelor’s degree in business studies and her CIPD qualification. After a few years, she returned to Huddersfield University to gain a master’s degree in strategic human resource management. She also achieved the exacting standards needed to become a fellow of the CIPD.

Helen’s first professional job after graduating was in the NHS, working on a project reforming junior doctors’ rotas to maximise the number of doctors available to hospital consultants.

“I have been shaking things up ever since!” says Helen. “Every role since has been demanding and stressful, but I thrive on the opportunity to deal with people. I have worked with the public, private and third sectors. I have dealt with everything HR can throw at you.”

It’s no surprise that Helen decided to step out on her own. “It’s always something I’ve wanted to do,” she says. “It has always been a goal.”

Now she works with a wide range of clients across the north, including law firms, marketing agencies, charities and commercial businesses.

“I have some regional companies where I provide support to their own in-house HR and I have some clients who are taking on employees for the first time and want to make sure they have the paperwork set up.”

Says Helen: “Payroll is the biggest single investment for any business, but people management can be difficult. I use my expertise to help employers put the policies and procedures in place and into practice with the aim of helping to improve the business. Most businesses are differentiated by the people who work for them. People management is so much more than just employment law.”

Helen covers issues as wide-ranging as managing employee absence and ill health, disciplinary and grievance procedures, discrimination claims and recruitment to redundancy and restructuring, terms and conditions of employment, project management and advising new business start-ups.