[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":56},["ShallowReactive",2],{"story-gemma-francis-fosters-an-inclusive-inspirational-engaging-supportive-and-fun-workplace-live":3},{"entries":4,"success":55},[5],{"id":6,"title":7,"slug":8,"uri":9,"summary":10,"postDate":11,"primaryImage":12,"heroImage":22,"heroVideo":30,"heroVideoMobile":31,"article":32},"14363","Gemma fosters an inclusive, inspiring, supportive and fun workplace","gemma-francis-fosters-an-inclusive-inspirational-engaging-supportive-and-fun-workplace","stories/gemma-francis-fosters-an-inclusive-inspirational-engaging-supportive-and-fun-workplace","Find out what inspired her to pursue a career in HR and learn about her unique career path and professional journey.","2025-12-18T09:50:00+00:00",[13],{"id":14,"url":15,"transformedUrl":16,"hasFocalPoint":17,"focalPoint":18,"width":20,"height":21},"21600",null,"https://imagedelivery.net/3QPtJdzWzWgsC5-X60hK1g/91cc0013-019c-48bf-6f40-e8cc40920400/width=1600,fit=crop,gravity=0.5x0.5",false,[19,19],0.5,1920,1200,[23],{"id":24,"url":15,"transformedUrl":25,"hasFocalPoint":17,"focalPoint":26,"width":20,"height":27,"originalWidth":28,"originalHeight":29},"15455","https://imagedelivery.net/3QPtJdzWzWgsC5-X60hK1g/bfe3fe3d-3ed2-42b8-63ee-20c4c132f400/width=1920,height=1080,fit=crop,gravity=0.5x0.5",[19,19],1080,10500,5727,[],[],[33,39,43,47,51],{"id":34,"typeHandle":35,"heading":36,"body":37,"ctaLink":15},"14483","text","Gemma Francis, Director of People and Culture is passionate about HR and employment law. Find out what inspired her to pursue a career in HR and learn about her unique career path and professional journey.",{"rawHtml":38},"\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Why did you decide to pursue a career in HR?\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>I remember the exact moment I decided to pursue a career in HR. I was watching a new show on Channel 4, The Office, and sat, in horror, watching David Brent’s antics. At first, I thought it was a fly-on-the-wall documentary and was horrified. How can he get away with this? I thought I am going to pursue a career where I could help prevent managers from treating people like this! And that’s where it started.\u003C/p>",{"id":40,"typeHandle":35,"heading":15,"body":41,"ctaLink":15},"17987",{"rawHtml":42},"\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What aspect of the job do you like the most??\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The people. I’d expect no other answer from a People professional. A workplace should be inclusive, engaging, inspirational, supportive, productive and above all else fun!  Getting the balance right can be tricky but I enjoy striving to make KSS a great place to work, where we all feel a sense of purpose and achievement and are proud of the amazing work we have achieved. I love working with such a talented bunch of people.\u003C/p>",{"id":44,"typeHandle":35,"heading":15,"body":45,"ctaLink":15},"17988",{"rawHtml":46},"\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What have the significant challenges been working in HR?\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Covid was the hardest and most challenging point of my career, I think most people professionals would agree, although it also presented plenty of learning opportunities. I think it’s incredible how quickly we were all able to adapt to the change and pull together as a team and that’s a testament to the people at KSS. Post-Covid and the changing culture of work and employee expectations are also reasons why HR professionals are having to adapt, but that is the nature of HR; things are always changing.\u003C/p>",{"id":48,"typeHandle":35,"heading":15,"body":49,"ctaLink":15},"17989",{"rawHtml":50},"\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>You have worked at KSS for 10 years; why have you been at a company for so long?\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>When you join the company, you are welcomed into an extended family working with great people. The directors are incredibly supportive, and I love the flexibility offered with having a family. Overall, it is an excellent place to work.\u003C/p>",{"id":52,"typeHandle":35,"heading":15,"body":53,"ctaLink":15},"17990",{"rawHtml":54},"\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If you could live in any building, what would it be?\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>It would be a modern coastal-style home, made from natural materials with clean lines and large glass windows. It would be an ample open and airy space, but also cosy with sheepskin rugs and a wood burner.  It is perched high on a cliff top in south Devon, with panoramic sea views and a floor-to-ceiling aquarium wall. Or the opposite is a small country chocolate box cottage surrounded by fields in the middle of nowhere. I’ll keep doing the lottery!!!\u003C/p>",true,1791206072186]