Internship Report: HR & Employee Relations at Secure Clean

This report provides a detailed account of an internship experience within the Human Resources department at Secure Clean, a Melbourne-based cleaning services company. The internship focused on employee relations and encompassed various tasks, including assisting with recruitment, updating databases, and supporting HR initiatives. The report outlines the company's background, including its organizational culture and structure, emphasizing its commitment to employee development. It further reflects on the skills acquired during the internship, such as conducting interviews, understanding employee welfare, and navigating HR challenges. The intern's personal reflections highlight the alignment of the experience with their career goals and the practical application of theoretical knowledge.

Running head: INTERNSHIP REPORT ON HR
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Internship Report
Name
Institution

INTERNSHIP REPORT ON HR
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Background of the Organization................................................................................................3
Work Experience at Secure Clean..............................................................................................6
The tasks I was undertaking during the Internship.................................................................6
Provision of the training in relation to specific skills of the discipline..................................8
How the placement relates to my learning.............................................................................9
Personal Reflection....................................................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................13

INTERNSHIP REPORT ON HR
Introduction
I worked as an intern at Secure Clean, a company that specializes on cleaning
services. I worked under Human Resource Department. My role encompassed employees’
relations management. I have compartmentalized this report into three broad categories:
background, work experience, and reflection. On background, the report provides an
overview on the details of the Secure Clean Company in terms of location, operation,
organizational culture, and structure. Under work experience section, the report accentuates
skills, knowledge, and other competencies that I acquired during my internship. The
subsequent section, which is reflection, is underpinned on my professional development in
terms of knowledge, skills, and technical development. The section also captures my likes
about the company, the challenges I faced, as well as the compliments and criticisms that I
experienced during the internship. The report comprehensively analyses how my experienced
redefined my competencies and shaped my career.
Background of the Organization
Secure Clean Company is designated in Melbourne. The company provides cleaning
services to large retail complex buildings that needs expert presentation (Securecorp.com).
The company utilizes modern techniques and applications to provide various routine and
expert cleaning services to government building, pubs, colleges, offices, golf clubs, and
restaurants (Securecorp.com). Some of the fundamental resources the company uses to
facilitate cleaning services efficiently include pure water systems, smart vans designed with
water tanks, and filtration units. The company provides services in accordance with the
customers’ needs. The major cleaning services that Secure Clean conducts include window
and stained glass cleaning, washroom waste management, maintenance works, consumable

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supplies, and key holding (Securecorp.com). The company has also adopted modern
technology devices like slip test systems, GPS Tracked Systems, automated reporting and
analysis systems, green technology, and Top Secret Unique Point of Difference.
Secure Clean Company values include “reliability, integrity, and results.” The
organizational culture of the company is pivoted on promoting and investing on the
members’ future. To actualize this vision, the company identifies performers and leaders and
fully sponsor their college or university education. The company also utilizes compensations
and benefits schemes to award and recognize hardworking team members or groups. Private
policy, Occupational Health, and Safety Policy frameworks that ensure the company
maintains utmost confidentiality of clients’ information and meet health and safety standards
also guide the organizational operational standards.
I was designated at the Employee Relations Department (ER). The main function of
this ER department to “ensure that the individual and collective relationship between the
organisation and its employees are managed appropriately; within a clear framework
underpinned by organisation culture, practices, policies and ultimately by relevant law.” The
employee relations manager develops policy and practices that fosters employees’ relation.
To achieve this goal, the employee relations manager has to work collaboratively with
managers from other departments to underscore the adherence of these policies and make
them effective. The employee relations manager also monitors processes and employees to
ensure they are consistent and in compliance with ER stipulations.
Another function of ER manager is working towards integrating ER policies,
monitoring their implementation and supports the execution of ER policies by helping them
to understand these guidelines. In addition, the ER manager ensures that there is coordination
to underscore alignment of organizational processes with ER standards. Similarly ER

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manager are mandated with role of conflict management. To achieve this goal, the manager
encourages open and honest conversations between employees and their supervisors. The ER
manager also coaches senior managers to enhance conducive working environment with
employees. The ER manager facilitates training and coaching of managers in pursuit of
maintaining a performance culture. Moreover, the ER manager negotiates with trade unions
on broad range of business as well as labour issues and establishes ways of surmounting
changes that trade unions push to be implemented.
Although I was designated at the ER Department, some of the roles that I performed
were not under the department. Nevertheless, they were still under the broad umbrella of
Human Resource Management. Secure Clean organization has adopted a culture that supports
protean career. Protean career is the type of career “that frequently changes based on changes
in the person’s interests, abilities, and values and in the work environment” (Noe,
Hollenbeck, Gerhart, & Wright 2018, p.230).According to Kihoro, Waiganjo, and Mungania
(2016), career has become quintessentially fluid and the modern employee adapts to the
system by embracing protean career. Modern employees do not just look for an organization
to access a career ladder or job security; rather, they seek flexible work alignments and
development opportunities. I can confidently attest that Secure Clean working environment
provided springboard for me to explore broad range of activities while working under ER
Department.
Some of the roles I played include conducting orientation for the new interns,
publicizing some open job position, undertaking background and reference checks, assisting
with data collection and research for various human resource initiatives. I was also mandated
with updating database, supervising some tasks, developing recruiting survey, designing
safety newsletters, revamping training manual. During my internship, I was working with
compensation and benefits, and working closely with store managers to understand

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management responsibilities, store operations, inventory bookkeeping, keeping ER-related
events, and human resources. Most importantly, I organized interview rooms, assisted my
supervisor with telephone interviews, and participated in some face-to-face interviews. In
most instances, I reported to my supervisor who was directly under ER manager.
Learning and undertaking most activities was significant to me as a human relations
manager, in terms of how to design employees’ relations culture and align it with the
organization’s overall strategy. As a human resource manager, I needed to conceptualize
understand practically how to conduct interviews, orientations, quality management,
supervision and evaluation employees’ performance (DeCenzo, Robbins, & Verhulst 2013,
p.23). I also wanted to understand the significance of improving employees’ welfare in terms
of training and development, remuneration and benefits, and good working conditions. In
addition, it I needed to understand the main challenges that HRM department face in terms of
legal environment, economic environment, and social environment, as well as how to
surmount the existential challenges. Since all the aforementioned concepts are entrenched in
my career, I can opine that I was fit for my intern position at the organization.
Work Experience at Secure Clean
The tasks I was undertaking during the Internship
Secure Clean is a dynamic organization that is growing at an alarming rate, an aspect that
makes it a challenge for the employees to remain at the top in every aspect. However, I had to
take responsibilities not only to satisfy the clients in my department but to ensure that every
activity I do is in line with the culture of the organization. With a focus on gaining experience
in every aspect of HR department and the personnel duties, I had to work with a view of

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progress towards office level where I would be given duties to the full portfolio within the
HR department. As a result, my duties the organization expected me to deliver include;
 Having regular meetings with other departmental representatives mainly to discuss
arising HR issues
 Participating in collecting market salary information and documenting in the annual
review reports
 Inputting of monthly payrolls for every employee within the organization
 Helping with the implementation and production of HR procedures and policies
 Taking part in the research and collection of information regarding market salary for
the annual reviews
 Taking part in induction classes for the new staff within the organization
 Helping the department with the recruitment needs through liaising with the
respective advertisers and agencies
 Taking part in the coordination of prospective candidates, carrying out interviews and
administering offers
 Reporting issues to the senior human resource staff
From the above list of responsibilities, there are skill I had already acquired from my
studies while other areas required me do a proper research and inquire more to be effective
within my jurisdiction of roles. For instance, my learning experience had equipped me with
the documentation of the HR annual reviews and reports as well as how to feel the monthly
payrolls for the employees. I also had prior knowledge in the research and collection of
market salary information. I was also well equipped with the skills that are necessary for new
recruits within the organization, an aspect that made my work easier when inducting the new
employees within the organization. Even though I was aware of the recommended HR
policies and procedures, it was necessary that I learn more on the culture of the organization

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to ensure my skills on the policies are in line with the culture and expectations of the
organization. In the recruitment process, I also had to learn more on the duties within every
department to ensure all the aspects of the roles are covered while carrying out the
recruitment process. However, I had most of the skills, an aspect that made my work easier
during the whole internship program.
Provision of the training in relation to specific skills of the discipline
According to Hebert, Wood, Jenkins, and Robison (2017), the HR internship program
provides administrative support and quality HR compliance to the human resource team and
clients. The support is often requires specific technical skills within the discipline that can be
formal or informal (Roy & Sykes, 2017). The skills are essential in maintaining satisfied
clients by delivering administrative support and assistance to the HR consultants on different
aspects within the HR department. Studerus, Ahrens, Häuptle, Goeldlin, and Streit (2018)
also denote that the HR compliance knowledge requires interns to develops skills on the HR
regulations and laws while keeping abreast of every new advancement within the field of HR.
The resulting impact to the intern will be effective development of a working knowledge of
searchable sources and HR databases.
From the training, I developed and maintained an attitude of development and learning. I
attended several meetings and seminars relative to my roles, cultivated interpersonal skills,
fostered time management skills, and developed public speaking and negotiating skills.
According to Hebert, Wood, Jenkins & Robison (2017), the qualifications, skills and abilities
of an effective HR professional often require the ability to make correct management
decisions surrounding client issues as well as problem-solving capabilities that are essential
in accomplishing the tasks and duties of the position. At the end of the program, I developed
excellent practical skills on written and oral communication and as well as planning and
organizational skills on dealing directly with the customers. I gained practical and strong

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customer service skills that has boosted my confidence in pleasantly dealing with various
people.
Having gone through the internship program, I am now able to correctly make decisions
involving client challenges hence even knowing when I need to escalate the challenge to a
senior HR consultant. I am also able to work and share knowledge in a diverse and strong
team-oriented environment. I have also gained proficient skills on using Powerpoint, e-mail,
Excel, and Word software in handling various issues regarding HR roles and responsibilities.
I also gained planning and organizational skills and capabilities necessary to accomplish tasks
and duties of the HR position.
How the placement relates to my learning
In a systematic study, Bartle and Rodolfa (2011) point out that it is essential to maintain
an informal environment, an aspect that is often challenging for most interns and employees.
The same study denotes that growth carries alienation with it making it harder for anyone to
be friendly and informal at the same time. In many cases, it is common that everyone takes
care of their responsibilities while forgetting that the whole staff is a team that needs to work
towards the same course. From my leaning skills, I was able to maintain a healthy balance
between my informal and formal relations. I accepted my responsibilities and the impacts that
came by it, both negative and positive such as getting employees on track, communicating
both undesirable and desirable behaviors, and giving feedbacks among others.
Personal Reflection
Time spent in the company ‘Secure Clean’ helped me gain practical knowledge and
experience on how the human resource department of the organisation functions. HR
involves the management practices and decisions makings in the company that influences and

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directly affects employees. The HR department coordinates the workforce of the
organisation. HR ensures the departmental activities and operations of the organisation are
operating smoothly to achieve the objective and goals of the company. I was also able to
gain insight of the secure, clean organisation culture and structure. How the employees
interact with one another and the management to ensure motivation and empowerment for the
success of the company and personal development.
Some of the functions of HR in the company were staffing, where it is the
responsibility of HR to seek and hire qualified personnel’s. Noticed that the HR has to come
up with well-defined reasons for hiring new employees and identify specific skills, abilities
and knowledge needed for the vacant position. The selected candidates have to be screened to
determine the fit individual for the position. Another duty is training and development. The
HR plans and organises training schedules for the employees. The departments suggest the
training they require to perform job duties efficiently and effectively. HR also organises
orientation, training and develops strategies for new employees (Rawat &Singh, 2016). It
provides the employee with the job functions and the background information needed to
perform satisfactorily.
HR department in ‘Secure Clean’ company uses the reward systems to attract and
retain the best employees in the market. They have a policy of incentives used where one
achieves certain targets; they get a token. It encourages the employees to work hard and
enhances future performances too. Motivation is also another function of the HR in the
'Secure Clean' company. The HR uses motivation to inspire workers to produce best results
(Guay, Chanal, Ratelle, Marsh, Larose, & Boivin 2010 p724). It enables employees to put
more effort into their work conditioned by the ability to satisfy Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
individually (Maslow 1943, p 88). Motivation also goes a long way in ensuring employees

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retention. The HR noticed that the company loses so much when they lose an employee to a
competitor or other organisation as the resources needed to develop new talent is expensive.
The HR is also in charge of the general maintenance of the employees (Adams., 1991,
p 42). The organisations have policies put in place to govern the health safety,
communications, and the relations of the employees within and outside the organisation. HR
is also in charge of the review of the performance of the employee as per the company’s
standards. The review helps employees with feedback on their performances necessary for
personal and professional growth. The feedback aim at boosting the confidence of the
employees and increases their performances.
During the internship, I noticed that the work environment of the company was good
and the employees were cooperative and helpful. It is the key factor in providing the
company records high productivity and efficiency in operations. Also the HR office was open
for all the employees to provide views and get clarifications of the company policies which
help avoid misinterpretations and conflicts among employees.
The company does most of its recruitment through the employee referrals, and I
noticed that this might lock out other potential talents in the work industry. Was able to lay
out a plan to the HR on how they can use other means of staffing to tap the best employees in
the market. This suggestion earned me a compliment from the HR head as the department set
to analyse the plan and probably implement it ones the policies reexamined. The compliment
from the head HR made me gain confidence in myself and encouraged me to be often
innovative and take risks. Though it was positive feedback, I also got to learn from other
employees the importance of teamwork. The company works in groups where they share new
ideas and knowledge. It assists the employees to build on their strengths and work on
weaknesses.

INTERNSHIP REPORT ON HR
Some of the few challenges I encountered at the beginning of the internship was
overworked. There was too much paperwork for me at the beginning, and with no prior
experience, I did not know how to work fast and clear my work. The supervisor encouraged
me to always ask questions for clarity. It enabled me to gain pace with my work. I also learnt
not to be afraid to ask other employees questions, and they were supportive. I also felt
overwhelmed at some point. The tasks at the beginning seemed too challenging for me.
Through the help of the supervisor, I was able to learn skills such as time management and
also how to use the available resources to my advantage.
The knowledge gained and skills acquired complimented what I had learned in school
was the most interesting part of the internship. Learning how to work and get feedback from
other employees was also beneficial as I was able to identify some of my weaknesses and
how to handle them. Was also able to develop some interpersonal and communication skills
in the organisation. I learnt their organisational culture and how to relate and interact with
different levels of employees from different cultural backgrounds. The experience developed
me as an individual and also provided an insight of the business world, the duties and
importance of HR in the organisation. I was exposed and trained in areas that I have not
encountered before. I learnt skills that would be helpful in the future work and apply in my
studies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Secure clean has a focused and quality human resource team with
expertise and professional skills which provide ultimate environment for the operations of the
company to run smoothly and achieve the goals and objectives of the company. HR is
significant to the company’s overall achievement. For the organisation to gain from its HR
department, companies need to explore sections of the HRM fully. Secure Clean provides an

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opportunity for interns to learn and gain the necessary skills and knowledge needed in the job
market which is not available in schools. The internship also exposes an individual to the
business industry.

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