Catherine Matthews

I am passionate about working with people and seeing the difference good HR interventions can make to the effectiveness and profitability of an organisation.

I started my own HR consultancy in February 2021 and have over 12 years experience in HR Generalist and Management roles across various industries including publishing, media, digital media and tech. I was involved in managing a significant retrenchment process driven by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and have previously been involved in everything from developing and implementing strong HR practices in a new tech start-up to maintaining the strong close-knit culture of a long-standing publishing house as it transitioned from being privately owned to its new ownership under a much larger listed entity.

Current:

Employer:                                  CMHR Consulting 

Address:                                     Self-employed

Position:                                     Human Resource Management Consultant

Period:                                       February 2021 - present 

Duties:                                        Full HR Management consulting services to numerous clients across various industries. Reviewing and drafting policies, Role clarification and job evaluation, Onboarding Programs, Performance Management (design, implementation, and management), Training and Development (including WSP/ATR submission), Employment Equity Planning and Reporting, Recruitment and Selection, Disciplinary processes, and HR advocacy.

Previous:

Employer:                                  Associated Media Publishing

Address:                                     80 Strand Street, Cape Town, 8000

Position:                                     Human Resource Manager

Period:                                       29 October 2019 – May 2020 

Duties:                                       Responsible for the full employee cycle and full function of HR. Developing HR Strategies e.g. Recruitment, Selection and Retention Strategies; Review of company policy; Develop and improve HR process to suit the needs of employees; Lead the Recruitment and Selection process and provide support to line management; Induct employees, and in so doing, provide employees with the foundation of success in their new role; Monitor the completion of Probation Review and Annual Performance Reviews; Provide guidance and leadership for the resolution of grievances and progressive discipline; Assess and plan for Training Needs, that includes conducting a Training Needs Analysis; SETA submissions (WSP/ATR); Mandatory and Discretionary Grant applications and Tranche Payment submissions; Ensure compliance to all South African Labour Legislation, including Health and Safety (fulfil the role of 16.2), and keep abreast of relevant amendments; Oversee the accurate monthly payroll processing; ESS administration and Leave; Develop, submit and track the company's EE Plan; Conducting Exit Interviews; Monthly reporting with the use of key HR Metrics. Drive increased profitability through optimized staff efficiency and overheads; Oversee CSI projects; Work with management to drive company culture.

Employer:                                  SACAP – Independent Contractor

Address:                                     1st Floor, Sunclare Building, 21 Dreyer Street, Claremont

Position:                                     Educator

Period:                                       2 June 2019 – 30 September 2019

Duties:                                       Facilitate three-hourly lectures to first year students on Human Resource Management and Business Management

Employer:                                  SACAP – Independent Contractor

Address:                                     1st Floor, Sunclare Building, 21 Dreyer Street, Claremont

Position:                                     Module Development Specialist

Period:                                       27 July 2018 – 30 September 2019

Duties:                                       Design contact and online module outlines for Human Resource Management 2 (NQF 6), Employee Relations Management 1 (NQF 6) and Employee Relations Management 2 (NQF 7) and Human Resource Management Fundamentals (NQF6). Building on module overview designs and developing a respective Module Outline for contact and online modules.

Employer:                                  Kagiso Media Innovations (IO) – division of Kagiso Media Ltd

Address:                                     The Warehouse, Alfred Street, Cape Town

Position:                                     HR Manager 

Period:                                       1 November 2015 – 31 May 2018

Duties:                                       HR Advocacy, Recruitment and selection, Industrial Relations, Remuneration, B-BBEE, Training and Development (submission of WSP/ATR), Performance Management, Employment Equity Reporting, HR Systems Management, Employee Benefits Administration, HR Reporting, Employee Wellness, Record Keeping, Payroll Advice, Job Grading, Staff Movement Administration.

Employer:                                  Juta and Company Ltd (subsidiary of Kagiso Media Ltd).

Address:                                     1st Floor, Sunclare Building, 21 Dreyer Street, Claremont

Position:                                     HR Consultant

Period:                                       10 January 2012 – 31 May 2018

Duties:                                       Recruitment and selection, Industrial Relations, Remuneration, B-BBEE, Medical Aid, Training and Development (submission of WSP/ATR), Performance Management, Employment Equity (forum and reporting), HR Systems Management, Policies and Procedures, Employee Benefits Administration, HR Reporting, Wellness Health and Safety (H&S Officer), Record Keeping, Payroll Advice, PIMS, Job Grading, Organisational Change initiatives, Staff movement Administration.

Committees:                             Skills Development & Employment Equity, Wellness, Health & Safety, B-BBEE, FunCom, e-Zine (Quarterly magazine)

Employer:                                  Juta and Company Ltd.

Address:                                     1st Floor, Sunclare Building, 21 Dreyer Street, Claremont

Position:                                     HR Administrator

Period:                                       1 September 2011 – 10 January 2012 (Contract)

Duties:                                       Record keeping, Medical Aid Administration, Staff movement Administration, leave administration, Loan administration, Training and Development, Recruitment and    Selection, B-BBEE, Industrial Relations, Administrative support. 

Employer:                                  Polyoak Packaging (Pty) Ltd.

Address:                                     Waterford House, Waterford Road, Diep River

Position:                                     HR Assistant

Period:                                       4 April 2011 – 31 August 2011 (Contract)

Duties:                                       HR administrative work, Recruitment and Selection, Data capturing on VIP Payroll, Administering of Psychometric tests, WSP/ATR processing, Administrative support to the HR team.

Honours in Organisational Psychology (specialization in Change Management)

University of Cape Town

Graduated 2010