Introduction to the Client
This client is a family-owned business operating in the hospitality sector across three sites, with a team of 20 employees. Due to their recent success, the business expanded rapidly from a single site to three, which presented new challenges in managing operations and people effectively. The owners were conscious of gaps in their HR practices, especially in ensuring compliance with employment legislation, and reached out to Thrive HR Services for support.
The Challenge
The business owners, while successful in managing the original single site, found the quick expansion overwhelming when it came to HR requirements. They realised there might be areas where they were not fully aligned with employment laws. My initial assessment revealed some key issues:
- None of the employees had contracts or written statements of employment particulars, which should have been issued from Day 1 of employment.
- The business employed workers under 18, but there was uncertainty about the legal protections for young workers.
- There was no health and safety policy in place, which was critical for ensuring compliance and safeguarding their employees.
- The business had no employee handbook or established policies.
Given these challenges, my priority was to address the legal and health and safety issues as a matter of urgency.
How Thrive HR Services Helped
I started by working with the business owners to draft tailored employment contracts for all employees. This was a crucial step in protecting both the business and its workforce, ensuring legal compliance, and providing clarity for employees on the terms of their employment. Key elements addressed in the contracts included holiday entitlement, potential travel requirements between sites, and contracted hours of work. For employees under 18, particular care was taken to ensure compliance with the Working Time Regulations.
Once the contracts were drafted, I supported the business as they issued these contracts to all employees, ensuring the process was smooth and that any questions from employees were clearly addressed.
At the same time, I worked with the client to develop a Health & Safety Policy, ensuring it complied with the Health & Safety at Work Act. This policy was then communicated effectively to all employees, with my support to brief the team and ensure full understanding and compliance.
After addressing these immediate priorities, I collaborated with the client to introduce an Employee Handbook. At Thrive HR Services, we only recommend what is genuinely needed for the business. Given the size of the company, a comprehensive set of bespoke policies wasn’t necessary; instead, an Employee Handbook summarising key policies such as disciplinary, grievance, and absence management was a much more practical solution.
The Outcome
By the end of this project, the business owners felt significantly more confident knowing they were now compliant with employment legislation. The employees had clear contracts and a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities. Furthermore, the introduction of the Health & Safety Policy enhanced workplace safety, particularly for younger workers.
The client was so satisfied with the outcome that they signed up for one of Thrive HR Services’ ongoing HR support packages, ensuring they have access to continued HR expertise as their business grows.
Client Feedback
“Working with Thrive HR Services has been a game changer for our business. Lisa quickly identified the gaps we had and helped us put effective measures in place. Now we feel much more secure knowing we’re compliant, and our team has clarity around their roles. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Thrive HR Services.”