The level of involvement can be tailored to the matter — from a single piece of advice or drafting support through to working alongside the organisation throughout a complex process, negotiation or dispute.
Employment Relations advice & advocacy
Practical, experienced advice and support across the full range of employment relationship issues, including disciplinary and performance matters, personal grievances, medical incapacity and absence, trial and probation periods, employment disputes and other complex employee matters.
I can work behind the scenes with HR teams and leaders, help shape the strategy and process, draft the necessary documentation, or work alongside the organisation through the matter from beginning to end.
Where a matter becomes contentious, I can also provide advocacy and representation on the organisation’s behalf, including correspondence and negotiations with employees, representatives and legal advisers, settlement discussions, and advocacy and support through mediation.
The focus is on understanding the legal position, the commercial context and the practical outcome the organisation is trying to achieve, then developing an approach that is proportionate, defensible and workable.
Organisational change & restructuring
Advice and hands-on support with organisational change, restructures and redundancy processes, from the initial thinking through to implementation.
A key part of my work is helping organisations test whether the proposed structure is the right one for the business and the circumstances — whether it genuinely addresses the issue the organisation is trying to solve, whether roles and accountabilities are appropriately designed, and whether the rationale for change is clear and sustainable.
From there, I help develop an approach that is both practical and technically sound, including the business rationale, consultation strategy and documentation, employee communications, redeployment considerations, selection processes, decision documentation and implementation.
The objective is not simply to run a compliant process. It is to arrive at the right organisational outcome, supported by a fair and robust process that will stand up to scrutiny.
Disciplinary & performance processes
Support with misconduct, serious misconduct and performance concerns, including initial assessment, allegations, investigation planning, meeting preparation, preliminary and final decisions, warnings and termination documentation.
I help clients distinguish between matters that genuinely require a formal process and those that can be addressed more simply, while ensuring that the approach adopted is fair, proportionate and capable of supporting the decision ultimately made.
Workplace complaints & investigations
Experienced support with workplace complaints, investigations and other sensitive employee matters, including allegations of misconduct, bullying, harassment and inappropriate workplace behaviour.
I can help organisations assess the issues raised, determine the appropriate investigation or fact-finding approach, establish the scope and process, prepare allegations and terms of reference, support interviews and evidence assessment, and review investigation processes and findings.
Where appropriate, I can undertake investigative and fact-finding work directly. Where the nature, complexity or circumstances of a matter mean that an independent licensed investigator or legal counsel is the more appropriate option, I can help identify that early, properly scope the engagement and work alongside the process.
The focus is on using the right level of investigation for the issue, while ensuring the process is fair, proportionate and capable of supporting whatever employment decisions may follow.
HR documentation, policies & frameworks
Employment agreements, policies, templates, letters and practical HR tools designed to be legally sound and usable in the real world.
I also work with organisations to review and improve existing HR frameworks, with a focus on clarity, practicality and avoiding unnecessary process.
Strategic HR advice
Senior-level HR support for organisations and HR leaders who need an experienced and independent sounding board on complex people decisions.
That may involve one significant issue, ongoing advisory support, or working alongside an internal People or HR team where additional Employment Relations expertise, independent perspective or senior capacity is required.
ER Coaching and Training for Leaders and HR Practitioners
Practical training for leaders and HR professionals on Employment Relations, employment law and people management.
Sessions can be tailored to the organisation and are designed to help managers understand not only what the law or process requires, but how to apply it confidently and sensibly in real workplace situations.