How do you avoid a HR bombshell? Prevention is better than cure
We all love the moment in a Hollywood blockbuster when the hero of the day wipes sweat from their brow and uses a pair of wire cutters to defuse the ticking bomb seconds before it explodes. The heroic, last-minute, save-the-day action keeps us on edge, gets the pulse racing and keeps the adrenalin flowing before we are rewarded with a happily-ever- after celebration. But Hollywood and real life are different. In the real world, it’s much better that the bomb doesn’t get built, let alone get anywhere near to exploding. Now, if you’ll forgive the tortured analogy, please let us explain what this has to do with small businesses and the potential pitfalls of employment law. Because unless your company is prepared for any eventuality from TUPE to disciplinary hearings and holiday entitlement, then you are sitting on a ticking time bomb. The costs of in-house HR, a solicitor on a retainer or outsourced HR can often prove to be too expensive to many SMEs. Having no formal HR process or formula is a risk many think is worth taking – until something explodes without warning. Until now, there was no middle ground. No easy way of sourcing help as and when you need it. But help is at hand, with a Cheltenham-based HR firm joining forces with a technological expert to create an app that provides a simple solution - and there’s not a pair of wire cutters in sight. The HR Mate app can be used by any company to raise an issue and have a qualified HR professional answer their question with the introduction occurring free of charge. James Cronin, a director of Eight Legal has helped
develop the app, alongside fellow director Kay Hamblin. Cronin has a master's degree in law and has been advising SMEs on employment law for more than 20 years. He said: “All too often we see SMEs get themselves into dangerous situations before seeking guidance. “When problems arise, many businesses have to rely on solicitors to give advice and some can charge £1,000 plus VAT merely for an initial meeting. “Other businesses will try to go it alone, but make an honest mistake and end up defending themselves in a tribunal – another expensive pursuit, both in terms of time and money. “We found that options were really limited. Sometimes the choice was between struggling on alone and risk a damaging mistake or pay someone for something you don’t need that often. “Either way, it’s far from ideal, and our mission was to try and address that gap in the market and not just stop those bombs going off, but stop them from being built.” The app works by connecting those in need of advice with those capable and qualified to provide it. Kay Hamblin, a fellow Eight Legal Director and a MSc in Organisational and Business Psychology said the app’s ability to put a potential user
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54 | May 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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