International Women’s Day: Interview with Remi Adebiyi (Human Resources Advisor)
Tell us a bit about your job. What’s a typical day like?
As an HR Advisor, my job is to manage the employee life cycle within my five units. This includes compensation, benefits and rewards, employee relations, performance management, recruitment and onboarding, and learning and development.
I’m probably feeding into the HR stereotype here, but my day starts off with checking my emails and prepping for meetings, training, or interviews. HR is a mixed bag, so you never know which direction your day is going to take. I could go from preparing contracts to coordinating an induction, resolving a conflict and then join a meeting with the heads of my units. I have to be very flexible with my approach to the day. At the moment our main focus is rolling out the new HR system.
What was your path to your role?
I originally started off studying for a degree in business studies; I didn’t enjoy it much, but I was lucky enough to have a hands-on lecturer who also happened to be my tutor in college. They noticed I wasn’t enjoying it and encouraged me to look into HR as I am a people person and enjoy helping others. I took this advice and went on to complete my CIPD, ICB and my master’s later and haven’t looked back since. Whilst studying I took on several voluntary roles to build my experience and worked my way up from administrative roles in higher education, property development, the railway, international peacekeeping and back to higher education.
What’s your favourite aspect of your job?
Definitely the people. It was a bit daunting joining a new organisation during lockdown and not knowing what was ahead of me, but I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and helpful everyone has been, especially working in HR where it can be difficult to build friendships outside your team. It’s a lot easier knowing colleagues are open to my ideas and just as enthusiastic as I am.
Who are the women who inspire you?
I would have to say my mother, she is the kindest person I know and is always willing to help others where she can. She installed a good work ethic in me from an early age and showed me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to.
The writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is extremely talented, her ability to paint a picture with words is truly amazing and inspired me to further develop my own creativity.
Last but not least, are the women in my team. I’m very proud to be part of an all-female department! My colleagues have a wealth of experience and are truly inspirational.
