Employee Relations

The culture had grown from a family owned business and due to relationships and friendships, there were inconsistencies with communication, lack of processes and practices, and no clearly defined functional reporting structure was in place. As a result, the Company were experiencing poor behaviour and performance issues from staff and some management. The owners were preparing to transition the business for acquisition by Bunnings (Wesfarmers Group), which has since seen Adelaide Tools renamed to Tool Kit Depot (TKD).

Since the company commenced in 1949, Adelaide Tools has grown to be an industry leader and is considered a ‘One-stop-shop’ as a provider within South Australia of quality power tool brands such as Makita, Stihl and Milwaukee.

Specifically, the project focus had two main outcomes:

1. Improve HR Governance

2. Transform the culture, thus reducing problematic staff issue

The project was developed with timelines, delivery plans and frameworks, some of which included:

Launching an Employee Survey to gain valuable insight into the salient issues experienced by employees

Supporting owners and managers, with the development of communication for briefings

Providing expert applied HR and legislative knowledge, including assisting with the design of a functional company structure, using Stratified Systems Theory

Reviewing Awards, position descriptions, policies, employee handbook and other required HR documentation

Developing and launch new employee contracts, code of conduct and employee handbook

Facilitating a communication and core values workshop – Customer Service Charter and Core Values of the Company were developed as part of this process

Achieving all components was to culminate with building a strong culture with a focus on developing a safe and engaged workforce, and reduced staffing issues along with building an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration

Appropriate documentation and staff handbooks now exist – the company now has a good rigour for employing, on- boarding and retaining staff

There is now clarity of what is expected from both the employer and the employee in the employer-employee relationship

Increased knowledge, resulting in improved governance

With clear payroll every fortnight and all hours accounted for on a line by line basis, we have minimised/eradicated the risk of any payroll under/over payments, compared to ‘all inclusive’ hourly rates previously used

Reduction in staffing issues and underperformance – employees are valued and supported

Store Managers are now taking accountability for their teams, from both a cost of overtime perspective and staff performance perspective

Improved engagement and effectiveness of employees

Improved working environment and services to customers steer the Company towards a solid and prosperous future.