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60 Seconds with Olga Pollock, HR Manager of Firmus Energy
I am the HR Manager for firmus energy. firmus energy is an energy company in Northern Ireland connecting natural gas to homes, businesses and essential services such as schools, factories and hospitals.
Monday 24 January 2022
Tell us about your role and your organisation
I am the HR Manager for firmus energy. firmus energy is an energy company in Northern Ireland connecting natural gas to homes, businesses and essential services such as schools, factories and hospitals. We offer customers clean, reliable, versatile natural gas, coupled with excellent customer service. firmus energy has a key role to play and a significant contribution to make in the decarbonisation targets set for net zero by 2050 and with significant work already underway, they are excited to be part of this change.
Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far
I started my working career as a researcher for a a dot.com website for local government officers. Then I joined the parent company I was working for, as an HR Administrator and worked my way up to Manager level creating an HR department from scrath along the way. After working there for many years I moved to the public sector for a brief stint in pure employee relations before moving to Phoenix Natural Gas in 2016 as HR Manager. Then in 2019 I moved to firmus energy where I am responsible for managing the full employee lifecycle in a generalist HR capacity in a team of 3. It’s hard to summarise what I do as it’s such a varied role but in a nutshell we look after everything from recruitment to retirement!
Describe yourself in 3 words
People-focused; approachable; measured
What is one skill that helps you most in your role?
Emotional intelligence
What advice do you have for women in your industry?
Working in HR can sometimes be hard – but it can also be immensely rewarding. Day in, day out, you can be juggling a whole range of spinning plates, constantly trying to make sure one doesn’t drop. But it’s important not to lose sight of what’s important and that’s about creating workplaces where people want to come to work to do their best, and have fulfilling careers. That’s what HR is all about. Don’t get bogged down in the policies and procedures. See people as human beings and respect their views and feelings. Try to balance the needs of the business against the needs of your people. Not always easy! As HR professionals we also need to have the courage to have radically candid conversations, especially when our integrity is challenged.
Are there exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?
firmus energy has ambitious plans to become an “Employer of Choice” and as such has embarked on a cultural transformation journey known internally as the Re-energising Project. The aim of this project is to “help position firmus energy as an Employer of Choice; both for the benefit of our people and the organisation.” This project has been embraced across the entire organisation with buy-in from all levels of staff including the Executive Leadership Team who are key in ensuring that this important project is given the commitment and importance that it deserves. There are 4 key pillars to the project including Alignment of Organisational Purpose, Building Career Pathways, Creating the right Leadership Climate and Employer Branding. The project will be key in the future attraction and retention of talent to the organisation and there is clear recognition that People are central to the future success of the business.
Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?
I love different qualities of different leaders and what they can teach us. I love Simon Sinek’s view of leadership and how great leaders inspire everyone to take action. I recently read ‘Bonus Time’ by Brian Pennie. He tells the story of his opiate addiction which nearly killed him and then something happened that completely changed the course of his life. In what seemed like an instant, the world seemed to glow. Colours were more colourful. Sounds were more cheerful. This book touched me deeply. Brian went on to become an author, speaker, PhD candidate, university lecturer, and life-change strategist. If anyone will inspire you, this guy will. It’s a must-read!
If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
Has to be “Don't Stop Me Now”, Queen, 1978
What's your favourite break-time snack?
A wee cheeky cinnamon swirl and latte from Starbucks
How can you fellow WIB members keep up to date with you and your organisation?
Keep up to date with us on firmusenergy.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn – Olga Pollock
Monday 24 January 2022
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