Audrey from Starion

I’m the HR Administrator for Starion Group, based in the Human Resources (HR) department in Wavre, Belgium, where I have worked since September 2022. My work is very varied – no two days are the same!

What does a typical day in your working life entail?

As HR administrator, my primary concern is the satisfaction and support of our employees. It involves a diverse range of responsibilities, such as organising and managing the onboarding process for new employees and freelancers – we need to ensure they have a smooth start, with all the right ‘paperwork’ and access to all necessary systems, tools and accounts. I also handle the administrative aspects of employee departures.

Another aspect of my job is providing day-to-day support by resolving issues and answering requests from employees and freelancers. This can involve policy clarifications and compliance, leave requests, benefits inquiries, assistance in resolving workplace issues, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date employee records.

I’m also leading projects to review and improve HR processes and systems, and implementing new HR initiatives and best practices to enhance operational efficiency. Starion Group has many companies across Europe, and the international factor means that I have to ensure all our HR activities comply with local and international labour laws and regulations, be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences, and ensure HR practices accommodate these differences and facilitate effective communication across different time zones and languages.

I have a lot of contact with all our workers and plan meetings as much as possible to strengthen the closeness despite the distance.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy providing advice and support, helping employees navigate their careers and personal development within the company, and addressing and resolving employee concerns and issues, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity. I always try to form strong, positive relationships with employees and freelancers, creating a sense of trust and reliability, and that means first and foremost being a support for them.

What has been your most memorable career highlight?

Being named Data Champion in my department! My expert knowledge of our systems enabled me to resolve various constraints and produce documentation to train the rest of the team in the use of HR systems. I’m very happy to be the reference person when it comes to corporate data and data management.

Do you have any tips for people trying to get jobs in your area of expertise?

As an HR Administrator, it’s important to have the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels. You need to be proactive at problem solving, be detail-oriented to manage records and compliance, and possess strong organisational skills to handle multiple tasks and projects.

How do you wind down after a working day?

To relax, I mainly engage in physical activities such as jogging, yoga or a workout session. Exercise can help reduce stress and boost your mood, especially when you take a warm bath or shower afterwards to relax your muscles and mind.