United Personnel opens office on North Street

PITTSFIELD – People looking for jobs and companies in need of workers will both benefit from a business that opened a Pittsfield office right after Christmas at 76 North St.

United Personnel, a full-service staffing firm with headquarters in Springfield, has moved into a block where Brits ‘R Us is located.

Walk into United Personnel’s new quarters these days and you will probably be warmly welcomed by Donna DiGennaro, staffing services manager, and Michelle Depelteau, client relations manager.

They immediately make a visitor feel comfortable, and both are willing to help a person find answers to questions about employment or needed employees.

Mary Ellen Scott and her late husband, Jay Canavan, founded the company in Springfield in 1984. There is also an office in Easthampton and now, Pittsfield.

According to the business’s website, its mission is “to provide clients with staffing solutions in the clerical, accounting and medical office fields as well as light industrial personnel.”

The company employs, in total, more than 700 people a day. Its website also notes the company has a tradition of “service and support.”

United Personnel occupies a 1,300-square foot space that formerly housed Chapters Bookstore. It is bright, light and spacious.

Eventually, the local office will be occupied by three employees.

Tricia Canavan, company president, is a former Pittsfield resident. She lived here with her family while her husband worked at General Electric, Ms. Depelteau said. Ms. Canavan also taught at Berkshire Community College.

Even after the family moved to South Hadley, she maintained good contact with local people and wanted to open a branch of the business locally.

Donna DiGennaro, staffing services manager of the new office, is a Pittsfield native who now resides in Dalton. She has a wealth of experience behind her. She worked in human resources for 25 years at KB Toys. She also served as staffing specialist for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at Berkshire Works.

“We offer a wide range of services,” she said.  Employees, including temporary workers, are offered health insurance.

Other employee benefits listed on the company’s website include vacation pay, scholarships,  holiday pay, seniority bonuses, a 401(k) pension plan, referral bonuses and training opportunities.

It was noted the company considers lasting partnerships with clients and field staff very important.

Ms. Depelteau is responsible for developing new business, client retention and promoting the company in the community.  United Personnel staff are “deeply committed to the community,” she said, and will volunteer for certain events as part of their jobs.

“The community can look for a lot of warm cookies from us,” she said.

Ms. DeGennaro will continue to call upon companies and leave information about United Personnel. The firm is already a member of the local chamber of commerce.

“A lot of people are looking for work,” she said, “and there are people hiring. We want to help.”

She will also be speaking with prospective applicants and recruit throughout the county.  She will spend some of her time in the office and the rest on the road.

Ms. Depelteau said she does not consider United Personnel to be in competition with other area  companies that help with hiring personnel.

“We offer incredible service to local companies,” she said. “There is 24-7 availability.”

There is on-call service for any staffing needs in local companies. United Personnel provides temporary employees and temporary-to-hire for companies, as well as direct hire for full-time executive-level positions.

If a law office needs a receptionist for a day, United Personnel can help, Ms. Depelteau said.

“We offer a wide range of services,” she said.

For more detailed information on what United Personnel can offer to prospective employees as well as to local companies, stop in or call the office at (413) 449-5050.

Ms. Depelteau said she hopes people who plan to call will realize the first three numbers of the phone number are “449” as opposed to “499.”

The company’s website is unitedpersonnel.com.

Posted by Susan M. Wicker Guerrero on January 24, 2013. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry