Listen to this article
Andrew Rasheed has served as the Director of Human Resources and Operations at Manning Elliott since 2008. The Vancouver-based company is the largest mid-sized accounting and business advisory firm in Western Canada. As the head of HR, Rasheed’s focus is on innovation through new programs and policies designed to attract top talent and create strong retention of employees within the firm.
Rasheed prioritizes employee professional development and the integration of technology to create a successful work environment. His stance on work-life balance has led him to implement flexible work schedules and improved benefit packages.
Q: What is the ideal role of a Human Resources department? Why is it essential for any company?
Andrew Rasheed: HR is responsible for managing employees’ onboarding and training, as well as any benefits they receive from the company. Our job is to make sure that an employee is prepared to perform their role to the best of their ability and to ensure that they feel taken care of. I think every company should have an HR department, and for smaller companies at least a rep. Creating a healthy and positive work environment not only helps with hiring top talent and retaining current employees, but it also can create better work. My job is to help our employees succeed.
Q: What role does technology play when working at a mid-sized company?
Andrew Rasheed: I think that implementing productive technology and communications systems is a vital tool for workflow and productivity. We want to make our employees’ lives a little bit easier. By exploring and adopting the latest technology, our teams are able to improve job performance and streamline their work.
Q: You have supported continued education opportunities for Manning Elliott employees. Why is this a priority for you and the company?
Andrew Rasheed: My answer to this is pretty simple – we want our employees to grow with us. Not only does continued education help staff perform their jobs at a higher skill level, but it also allows for opportunities for advancement. Just because someone didn’t have certain training or experience before they started working for us doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of achieving those skills. We want to ensure that our staff reaches their full potential. Continued education is a benefit to them individually and a benefit to the company.
Q: What advice do you have when it comes to building strong work relationships with co-workers?
Andrew Rasheed: Strong relationships in any context are all about communication. A working relationship involves a lot of give and take. You need to actively listen to your co-workers. The simple task of actively listening will allow you to hear their ideas or concerns, and most importantly, demonstrate that you care about their concerns, and you care about them as people, aside from their role as your co-worker. This kind of genuine listening will automatically help open communication channels while building trust and mutual respect.
Q: What benefits do you see manifesting when companies focus on employees’ well being and work life balance?
Andrew Rasheed: When an employee feels appreciated and valued, it improves both their individual job performance and the retention of staff for the company. In North America, our work culture is very fast paced, so finding a balance for people is important to avoid burnout. At Manning Elliott, we want our employees to grow with us, and creating a positive environment with adequate support and resources is a big part of why our staff find a home here. In a traditional corporate position, you are spending five days a week at the office, so it makes sense to take on the responsibility of creating the best working environment possible.
Activate Social Media:
