HR Rely for local government brochure

HR RELY
Fixed fee employment, HR and advisory
support for local government employers
www.hrrely.com

HR Rely
Expert support and advice with cost certainty
Employment issues in the workplace can be a legal minefield for even the most
experienced organisations.
At Weightmans we understand the difficulties of balancing the interests of
your organisation with the needs of your employees. We are also aware of the
pressures that public sector bodies are operating under, the need to generate
savings and to identify and deliver on Cost Improvement Programmes.
We are one of the foremost providers of legal support services to local
authorities in the country. We act for over 150 local authorities across the UK. We
have also been appointed to 12 local authority legal purchasing consortia.
Designed with you in mind, HR Rely is a fixed fee service providing expert advice,
guidance and support for your HR and employment law needs.
“Whether it is handling queries in a timely and efficient
manner, supporting complex projects or advising on
workplace issues, our approach will give you transparent
and measurable value for money.”
Jawaid Rehman, Partner
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely 2

Expert support and advice with
HR Rely
cost certainty
How does HR Rely work?
We will sit down with you and identify the elements of HR Rely that would be
of most value to you. We will then agree your anticipated usage and, based on
that, agree an annual subscription for a tailored service that precisely meets
your needs within your budget.
Typically that annual subscription will give you access to our experienced
specialists who can advise on HR issues, employment law and employee
relations matters.
The service covers not only email advice but direct telephone access to our
dedicated team of employment law specialists.
“Weightmans
have been able to
provide helpful and
practical advice
which has enabled
us to manage and
resolve complex
issues.”
Jane Lunn, Head
of HR, Broxtowe
Borough Council
As employment law is continually changing, we will keep you up to speed
on the practical changes and developments facing the local government
through newsletters and seminars, as well as guiding you through the correct
HR procedures to deal with the issues your organisation may be facing. By
subscribing to this service, you can also benefit from discounted rates for wider
employment-related projects, which will be tailored to your needs.
“Weightmans’ HR Rely team consistently offer high
quality advice in a timeous and professional manner.
No problem is too big or small, whether it is a complex
Employment Tribunal or a need for reassurance, there is
always someone available quickly to support our needs.”
Tarnya Brink,
Deputy CEO, CSWP - The Careers Guidance Company
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely 3

Expert support and advice with
HR Rely
cost certainty
Adding value to your business
HR Rely is a bespoke service provided by Weightmans LLP, a national law firm
with one of the largest employment practices in the UK.
Weightmans has acted for many significant public sector organisations,
including local authorities, for many years. Such work forms part of our
heritage. Our focus on this type of work means we are able to offer our local
authority clients settled, established and specialist local government lawyers
who provide a quality service at the most competitive price possible.
We provide pragmatic and strategic advice that will not only address your
concerns but will also help you to achieve your objectives. However challenging
the problems you face, we will use our knowledge of your business and the
public sector to work with you to resolve them.
“Weightmans have
advised us on equal
pay claims over a
number of years.
Not only do they
give great specialist
advice but in doing
so they consider
and understand the
challenges faced
not only by our HR
department but the
Local Authority as a
whole.”
Adele Wylie, Principal
Solicitor, Bolsover
District Council
“The team is responsive, comprehensive in its knowledge
base, yet succinct in its advice. It also has a real
understanding of the public sector”
Chambers & Partners UK 2015
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely 4

Expert support and advice with
HR Rely
cost certainty
What is included in the fixed fee?
As part of your annual subscription, you will receive:
•§
Access to dedicated named advisers who you can contact by telephone, email
or via face to face meetings.
•§
Telephone advice line for your queries.
•§
A review of your employment policies and procedures including disciplinary,
grievance, harassment and bullying procedures.
•§
Guidance through the correct HR procedures or where a commercial decision
is taken by you, assistance with the appropriate strategy.
•§
Access to the HR Rely members’ website*, which provides downloadable
guidance documents on a range of topics as well as model letters and
example policies.
“Weightmans’
HR Rely Service
provides Wellington
College with
friendly, speedy and
reliable HR advice.
We get consistent,
intelligent
and pragmatic
information every
time from helpful
and professional
people.”
Janis Brumwell, HR
Director, Wellington
College
*HR Rely members’ website (www.hrrely.com)
•§
Regular invites to HR Rely member briefings as well as to employment
seminars, which are relevant to the local government sector.
•§
Out of hours support for any urgent queries outside of the standard working
day.
•§
Monthly newsletter specifically tailored to HR Rely members, as well as HR
Focus, Weightmans’ monthly employment law newsletter.
•§
Email updates when there is something newsworthy to report from an
employment law perspective.
•§
Discounted rates for employment-related projects, which we would be happy
to discuss with you in more detail.
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely 5

Expert support and advice with
HR Rely
cost certainty
Additional services available
With one of the largest employment practices in the UK, our employment team
advise on the full range of HR and workplace issues.
Bespoke services can be provided for an additional fee:
•§
Training sessions or programmes, with practical working examples to help
you prepare for real-life scenarios.
•§
Consultancy support for areas such as mediation and consultation exercises.
•§
Complaints and legal cases support for areas such as secondments into your
legal team, and managing your complaints and claims function.
•§
Investigation support e.g. grievances, disciplinary, bullying and harassment.
•§
HR support and employment advice provided directly to operational teams
for their day-to-day employment issues.
•§
Full range of health and safety support services to ensure you receive the
knowledge and advice you need, when you need it.
•§
Access to Management Information (MI) a fully customisable system,
which can provide insight into your employment portfolio. It allows for
the identification of hot spots, trends and areas where resources should be
focused.
•§
Employment Tribunal representation - our aim is to work with you to avoid
Employment Tribunal claims, however we would be happy to discuss this
additional offering with you.
•§
Advice and practical support for employers and scheme trustees on all
aspects of pension law relating to occupational pension schemes, personal
pension plans and group life insurance arrangements. Our services include
an audit to review your compliance with key legal requirements and to
identify potential liabilities together with opportunities to manage risk and
cost.
•§
Business Immigration advice – we can ensure you are compliant with UKVI
requirements over the right to work in the UK. We can advise and assist with
sponsorship licence applications, issuing of sponsorship certificates and
compliance with UKVI sponsor duties. We can also defend you against fines
and/or proceedings issued by the UKBA.
•§
We can provide bespoke advice and support on any employment-related
tax issues, ranging from the tax treatment and structuring of termination
payments, to bonus schemes and rewards strategies. We can also assist with
queries regarding employment status, agency workers and IR35.
•§
Inquest, inquiries and advisory service - we can provide a 24/7 helpline and
practical help to support you in dealing with all issues arising.
“The service we
have received
from Weightmans
employment team
is, and has always
been, excellent.
Response times
are very quick,
the expertise of
the lawyers we
have worked
with is extremely
impressive, and this
is coupled with a
detailed industry
knowledge and
acute business
acumen.”
Karen Childs, HR
Business Manager,
Bassetlaw District
Council
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely 6

Expert support and advice with
HR Rely
cost certainty
Next steps
To find out more about how HR Rely can add real value to your business, please
contact either Mark Leach or Jawaid Rehman, two partners in our employment
with a wealth of experience working with local authorities or alternatively visit
www.HRRely.com
Mark Leach
Partner
0161 233 7372
mark.leach@weightmans.com
Jawaid Rehman
Partner
0121 200 8123
jawaid.rehman@weightmans.com
“We have a great
partnership with
Weightmans. Over
the past four years
our employment
tribunal activity
has decreased year
on year - and the
firm can take huge
credit for that.”
Dawn Cheetham, HR
Manager,
T.G.I. Friday’s
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely 7

HR Rely
About Weightmans
Weightmans LLP is a Top 45 national law firm with 11 offices in nine locations.
Weightmans provides a full support service to local authorities. We assist
local authorities across the country with a wide variety of matters, including
every possible specialism. We handle regeneration, property transactions,
construction disputes, civil litigation, commercial debt recovery, prosecutions,
governance issues, commercial contracts, shared services arrangements, public
procurement, state aid, housing, child care and adult social care.
“Weightmans has
a sizeable and
distinguished
practice and attract
an impressive
clientele, including
local authorities
and corporations.”
Chambers & Partners
UK 2015
We help our clients succeed by working closely with opinion-formers and key
players to shape ideas. Behind the scenes we are making the most of our sector
knowledge, awareness of policy issues and commercial drivers to help clients
make the most of emerging opportunities.
Our specialist yet down to earth approach enable us to create practical
solutions which address your needs.
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely 8

Contact Mark Leach on 0161 233 7372 or Jawaid Rehman on 0121 200 8123.
Or contact them via email at mark.leach@weightmans.com or jawaid.rehman@weightmans.com.
@weightmans_empl
Weightmans Employment
© Weightmans LLP - Weightmans Local Government HR Rely