TRADITIONALLY, businesses would turn to mediation service Acas if relations in the work place broke down. However, the organisation which has its Kent base in Paddock Wood is in reality far more than a mediator.It offers training and legislation advice to help the wheels of business run smoothly with no need of mediation. Heather Haddelsey, Acas’s publicity manager, plays a part in this education process.

* What does your role involve?

As publicity manager for Acas in the South East my aim is to raise the profile of the organisation. We want local businesses to know that we are more than a dispute resolution service. We also offer training and advice to companies and help them improve their employment relations. My role is varied. I try many different means to get my message across. I attend business-to-business exhibitions where I meet companies and talk to them about their needs. I write articles for newspapers such as the Kent Messenger and newsletters and other business publications. I attend networking events such as those run by Business Link Kent and the CIPD. We have an Acas National Newsletter for which I write articles and we are keen to keep our website – www.acas.org.uk – up to date.

* How did you get to this position?

I joined Acas 12 years ago and started as a conciliator. I was asked to join the training team. We soon realised that there was a need to create a post for a publicity manager so that companies could find out about the work we are doing and how we can help them.

* What do you enjoy about your job? Are there any difficult areas?

I love my job. I find it refreshing to go out and meet companies and to try to help them in a more positive way rather than being there for them when things have already gone wrong and they are facing a tribunal. I enjoy the networking events. I attended one at Business Link Kent recently where we all had to find out as much as we could about one another’s companies in 10 minutes. It was useful as it is much better to meet people face to face. It is always difficult to try to get our message across to companies who are often so busy running their businesses that they don’t have time to stop and think about how we can help.

* What professional qualifications are useful in this career?

I completed my Certificate of Personnel and Training Diploma before joining Acas. This was invaluable as it gives you broad training in human resources and employment relations. I do not have any qualifications in marketing or PR but I think it would be very useful and it is something that I may think about for the future.

* Are there personal qualities that help in this profession?

I think that the main skill for those who work in Acas is the ability to talk to all sorts of different people in the workplace. One minute we may be talking to a cleaning company or a small business that only employs four members of staff and does not have contracts of employment. The next minute we may be talking to an HR director from the NHS or the local authority.

* What would your advice be to individuals interested in following a similar path?

I have been lucky as I joined the Civil Service 15 years ago and have had many varied opportunities throughout my career so far. I think it is useful to continue learning even after leaving school or college. Professional qualifications such as the CIPD give you that edge and an invaluable insight into the world of work.