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PDM Finalist - Carol Harris Staffing, LLC
CAROL HARRIS STAFFING, LLC
Learning & Development Category
As a growing company in a high pressure, immediate-response industry whose regulations and standards are in a constant state of change, Carol Harris Staffing, LLC was challenged to create a method of training and staff development that would ensure that the entire staff remained abreast of any new developments and changes in employment law, human relations, or staffing, ensure that this information was presented, received, and understood consistently among the five locations and address employee wellness and well being with a particular focus on the professional and personal stresses of the industry.
To accomplish this goal, Caroline O’Connor, the Director of Legal Affairs and Human Relations, developed an innovative response to the company’s needs: CHS Company University. CHS University is a comprehensive in-house staff training program that encompasses all facets of the business with the perspective that learning within the company is continual, information is fluid, and that each individual staff member is an expert in his or her position. Caroline also implemented a wellness program to address the personal and professional development of the staff.
As a result of the initiative, there has been a noticeable increase in staff members reporting feelings of confidence in their jobs, feeling connected to coworkers, and viewing the company as a team-based network. Employee feedback reflects a sense of satisfaction with the program, and more specifically a sense of pride in the attainment of the CSS Certification upon its completion. Managers have reported a high degree of retention on the information presented in the training sessions, as well as fewer discrepancies during random audits of employee daily practice, contributing to smoother data sharing among the branch and corporate locations. A reduction in errors undoubtedly contributes to increased efficiency and productivity within the company overall. Overall, CHS University has allowed employees to grow and expand their knowledge base and value within the industry. Company employees on every level have been empowered with new knowledge and continue to develop personally and professionally as a direct result of the initiative’s commencement.
Company Bio:
Founded in 1987, Carol Harris Staffing, LLC has since grown to become the most successful staffing firm in the Pittsburgh area by maintaining a company focus on excellence, quality, and customer service. Over the years, the CHS team has grown to include the largest temporary workforce in the area, as well as a dynamic in-house staff comprised of individuals and departments which specialize in legal affairs, human resources, accounting, public relations, recruiting, safety and risk management, training, multimedia, marketing, and customer service. As a full service staffing firm with five local offices, CHS offers employment solutions to area businesses and job seekers in the clerical, light industrial, and technical fields. Areas of focus have also recently expanded to include Engineering, IT Tech, Hospitality, and Casino servicing. CHS services go beyond those of typical staffing services by offering innovative, comprehensive solutions to fit the growing needs of today’s business and workforce.
Throughout the company’s expansion, CHS has maintained a strong focus on its “people practices,” knowing that the business’s employees are its most valuable resource. As a result of this commitment to the company’s staff, CHS was ranked as one of the 50 Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania in 2007. As CHS has grown, so has the company’s dedication to giving back to a community which has contributed so much to its success. For example, 2008 marks the eighth consecutive year that CHS has sponsored the annual CHS Walk, Run, Ride to Provide, with the event raising over $30,000 annually for the Habitat for Humanity organization. In recognition of this commitment, the company was honored with Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network Crystal Globe award. Over the years CHS has also been honored with numerous awards which recognize the company’s commitment to excellence such as the Tech 50 award, 100 Fastest Growing Award (4 time winner), Best 50 Women in Business (Carol Harris, Kelli, Prucnal, and Caroline O’Connor), Top 100 People (Carol Harris and Caroline O’Connor), #1 Women Owned business, #1 Largest Staffing Firm, Top 100 Companies, Athena Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year (Carol Harris), CFO of the Year (Peter O'Connor, finalist), Woman of Excellence (Kelli Prucnal), CIO of the Year (Mark Prucnal, finalist), and Business Woman of the Year (Carol Harris).
Having celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007, Carol Harris Staffing, LLC has become a fixture of stability and growth in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. The success of the company is a true testament to the dedication and hard work of its employees. Because of the creativity and commitment of these individuals, CHS continues to be able to serve its local communities as an invaluable resource for staffing solutions to meet the changing needs of today’s job seekers and employers.
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