Malcolm's Journey from London to HR Specialist

Malcolm is a vocal and highly respected member of the HR team, always able to offer sensible and worthwhile advice.

What attracted you to the Met Office?

Following a relocation to the southwest last year, and whilst searching for work I came across a vacancy at the Met Office and upon further investigation was impressed with the work, the values and the history that was on display.  They felt like an ‘employer of choice’.

How did you start working at the Met Office?

I was looking for a new job and, following my application through the careers site, I was successfully recruited into the HR team at the Met Office in 2016.

What kind of training and development opportunities have you had at the Met Office?

In my short time here, I have been able to attend the Being a Manager Course, Introduction to Change Management & level 2 Excel courses.  My manager is eager to develop staff where and when possible

What experience have you gained while at the Met Office?

Unfortunately due to the nature of my work the experiences I have had whilst here carry elements of confidentiality, but I can say that my HR knowledge has developed and expanded greatly over the last year.  

How did you get into your current role?

Good question. I’m still wondering that myself! The projects that I have been involved in were utilising my previous experience in the type of work being asked of me, namely very specialised areas of HR, requiring high levels of confidentiality and diligence.

What sort of things have you been doing in the last 12 months?

My biggest project so far has been managing the HR processes connected to large scale movement of staff, however I am fortunate to work with many other areas of HR and the Office in general.

What do you get up to day to day?

Every day my role can be quite varied from advising individual staff members on life cycle policy issues (annual leave entitlements, sick pay, maternity leave etc.), delivering briefing sessions to colleagues or writing business cases for change  that involves internal & external stakeholders such as BEIS. No day is ever the same!

What does the role involve that people might not expect?

Due to the fluidity of the HR department and the highly specialised nature of the work the Met Office is involved in, I am tested every day.

What does the Met Office give you that you feel you couldn’t get elsewhere?

The working environment is awesome and, as an employer, the total rewards package, including all things additional to pay, is generous. Rewards include flexible working and an industry leading pension scheme… Plus 27.5 days (rising to 32.5 days) holiday per year!