HEATHER Jones says too many employers in small businesses have a problem dealing with “human resources”.

And the Birstall-based owner of HR services firm Lamont Jones knows that dealing with staff in the wrong way can cost a company dear.

“Some employers recognise their staff as a ‘resource’ but fail to appreciate the ‘human’ side,” she says.

“Quite a lot of small employers are very good at running their companies, but have never been involved in a grievance procedure or litigation. They need to make sure their HR is being looked after properly.”

Heather, who hails from Southport but has lived in Birstall for a number of years, set up Lamont Jones 10 years ago.

She studied law at Durham University, but moved to Yorkshire and worked in banking with roles in the banks’ legal departments.

“It was very boring,” she admits. “I thought it would be more exciting to work in HR. I started exploring the idea and over the years I had a number of different jobs which didn’t have ‘HR’ in the title, but which involved being responsible for groups of people.

“My legal knowledge proved very important. HR is not just about dealing with things when things go wrong – it’s about trying to stop things going wrong in the first place and finding ways to bring out the best in your staff.

“You have to get the right people, manage them in the right way and sort problems out when they occur.”

Heather’s first significant role with ‘HR’ in the job title was as regional HR manager for a leading bank.

She was shocked to learn on taking the job that nobody in the HR department had ever set foot in a bank branch.

“The first thing I did was to send them out to the branches to see how the manager coped,” she says.

“They had to see things at the ‘coal face’ and then work to improve the HR skills of the branch managers.”

It was those experiences that set Heather to thinking about running her own HR business – to help smaller employers without the luxury of an in-house HR team to manage their employees better.

She took redundancy from the bank, which gave her some money to set up Ingham Jones in partnership with another businesswoman.

When her business partner decided to leave – in amicable circumstances – Heather bought her out and renamed the firm Lamont Jones.

The business started in offices above a flower shop in Cleckheaton before moving to mill premises at Carlinghow.

The firm transferred to more suitable accommodation at the Titan Centre, Bradford Road, Birstall four years ago – since when it has expanded from one office to occupy three rooms.

The facilities include a training room for clients to attend HR-related courses, although Heather and her seven-strong team also visit clients on their own premises.

“I wanted nice premises for the staff,” she says. “They are in here a lot of the time and it has to be a pleasant environment. It provides the right image for clients – and if an HR consultancy cannot provide the right working environment for its own staff that doesn’t look good!”

Heather sympathises with small employers who feel daunted by the issues that can arise dealing with employees.

“We provide everything that an in-house HR department would provide for small to medium-sized businesses,” she says.

“Our clients range from firms employing five people to companies with 350 staff. We are very hands-on. We do everything from recruitment to redundancy and we can represent employers at tribunals. We also have a telephone helpline for employers to ask advice.

“At present, some employers are needing help with the redundancy process. We have also seen a shift in terms of health and safety with the onset of the ‘no-win no-fee’ lawyers, which some employers find scary.

“A lot of employers take fright if they get a solicitor’s letter. Smaller employers don’t have the level of knowledge necessary to respond. We can help them get things in perspective.”

Says Heather: “We have been busy during the recession because of the ‘no-win no-fee’ lawyers and discrimination claims following dismissal.”

On a more positive note, Lamont Jones has been helping a number of companies to recruit staff. “If they get the right person in the first place, they won’t have problems further down the line,” says Heather.

She also draws on her own experience as an employer.

“When you start running a business, you don’t know how to go about it to start with,” she says. “I don’t think just anyone can run a business. You have to have a certain temperament and a vision. You have to take a leap of faith and really believe in yourself.

“I am a passionate believer that HR can affect the bottom line in a positive way – if it is done right. Most people cannot grow their business without employing people and HR is really important. It’s either going to make or break your business, so you have to manage it correctly.”

And there’s no question Heather is happy that she made the right choice of career.

“I like the diversity of the work,” she says. “One day, I can be involved in training and the next I can be helping defend a client at a tribunal. The work is very varied and suits my personality.

“I am growing the business. My job is to go out and get the clients.”

However, Heather believes in the importance of getting away from the office to recharge the batteries.Having dependable staff means she no longer worries about being away.

“There’s a qualified HR person on hand all the time,” she says. “Ninety-five per cent of the time we can answer an employer’s question on the first phone call.

“When I call the office, I know the staff are coping all right without me!”

Heather and her family keep four dogs, which means lots of walks.

Holidays are also important, she adds. “I try to adopt Richard Branson’s model. He said that you should work hard for three weeks and take the fourth week off. My husband and I try to get away every month, even if it’s only for a weekend.

“For the first time in 10 years, we are going to have a foreign holiday this year. We plan to visit the USA, although we haven’t worked out the itinerary.”