HR Packages: decisions, decisions, decisions

HR packages, how to pick ’em.

There are so many options, too many even. Every HR consultancy has a different way of charging: sliding scales, per hour per month, per hair on your head etc. Here’s what to look for and what to run from.

Firstly, if they are going to tie you in for years at a time DON’T DO IT. Just Don’t. HR packages that trap people are not going to work with you. An attractive monthly retainer is no good if you don’t actually use it. You’ll find yourself paying for HR that doesn’t feel useful until the end of time, because you only get a short window to cancel at the end of each period before you’re trapped again. And who has the time to remember to cancel that? Certainly not you. Especially when you’re dealing with an abundance of HR issues that your HR provider should be helping with.

Shameless self promotion: We only have a 3 month notice period. Try and find that anywhere else, we dare you. Our customers stay because they want to stay. Most start on our lower band, or even just an Ad-Hoc package, and end up going permanent with more hours once they realise the value we can add.

A good HR package should:

• Be accessible for your needs. You should have access to an advisor on tap. Not just a chatbot with a 12 hour response time. A personal advice service..
• Include opportunities to access all areas of HR support. At the bare minimum they should be able to cover: Recruitment, redundancies, grievances, disciplinaries, policies, reward & benefits.
• Be able to set you up with a HR system that automates laborious HR processes. If you’re still using spreadsheets for holidays, sickness and rotas then get in contact because we have an affordable, easy to use system that will save you time, money and stress.
• Have adjustable levels of support, so that you’re not paying for time you don’t need.

What costs should you expect?

• If you get quoted a bargain basement price, you will get bargain basement service. If you are comfortable doing it yourself having received generic guidance then that’s fine.
• If you want an experienced Consultant to walk through the process with you, then it will cost more. The fact is, call centre HR operations bank on you not using their services. Less experienced advisors who are targeted on the duration of the calls they take can’t give you the level of service you need.
• Don’t get seduced by cheap up front deals with hidden extras. If you need someone on site, do you really want to pay £1,300 per day for the privilege?
• Our packages start at £220 per month plus VAT. You can get cheaper but if you factor in the time it will take you to amend template documents, cheaper HR packages may be a false economy.