FAQs

When employee issues become complex, high-risk or legally sensitive, organisations need more than routine HR support.

At a glance

This service provides senior-level HR expertise to help employers navigate difficult people issues, employment disputes and litigation with confidence, fairness and practical judgement.

• Specialist focus in complex HR casework, tribunal litigation, investigations and dispute resolution.
• Senior HR support available on a retained, project or part-time basis.
• Practical support for employers operating in Northern Ireland.
• Strategic support for leaders, decision-makers and internal HR teams.
• Evidence-based guidance to reduce legal, financial and reputational risk.
• Fair, impartial and constructive HR support and advice informed by both employer and trade union experience.
• Flexible model

What is Fractional HR?

Fractional HR means having access to experienced senior HR expertise on a flexible, part-time, project or retained basis.

• Access to strategic, specialist and focused HR support without the cost of a full-time HR Director or Head of HR.
• Tailored support that can be scaled up or down depending on business need.
• Particularly useful when a complex case, dispute, investigation or litigation risk arises.

Who typically uses a Fractional HR service?

This service is suitable for organisations that need senior HR capability but do not require, or cannot justify, a full-time senior HR appointment.

• Small and medium-sized businesses.
• Charities and voluntary organisations.
• Public sector and arm’s-length bodies.
• Professional services firms.
• Organisations experiencing growth, change, conflict or complex employee relations challenges.

What services do you provide?

The service specialises in complex HR casework, workplace disputes and employment litigation support.

• Employment Tribunal support and litigation preparation.
• Complex employee relations case management.
• Support with mediation, conciliation and dispute resolution.
• Trade union engagement and industrial relations support.
• HR policy development and review.
• Strategic HR advice for senior leaders and decision-makers.

What makes this consultancy different?

This is not a generalist HR service. It is a specialist consultancy for organisations dealing with sensitive, complex or high-risk people issues.

• Over 36 years’ experience in HR, employment relations and employment law.
• Former Head of an HR Litigation Unit within the public sector in NI managing a team of HR Case Managers.
• Experience of strategically managing over 40,000 Employment Tribunal claims involving employers across the sectors.
• Direct experience advising senior leaders and decision-makers, working with solicitors and counsel to mitigate employment litigation risks.
• Significant experience in HR policy design, review and compliance/risk assurance.
• Strong background in both employer-side HR leadership and trade union representation.
• A reputation for fairness, sound judgement, discretion and practical problem-solving.

Do you support employers facing Employment Tribunal claims?

Yes. Support can be provided from the point a claim is received through to final resolution.

• Reviewing the issues, evidence and organisational risk.
• Helping employers understand the HR and employment relations context of the claim.
• Preparing documentation and supporting internal case preparation.
• Assisting with witness preparation and chronology development.
• Working alongside solicitors, counsel and internal HR teams.
• Advising on practical resolution and settlement options and potential costs.

Can you help before a matter reaches Tribunal?

Yes. Early intervention is often the best way to prevent workplace issues escalating into formal litigation.

• Independent advice on grievances, disciplinary matters and workplace disputes.
• Support with sensitive conversations and resolution options.
• Assessment of procedural, evidential and organisational risk.
• Support during conciliation or mediation processes.
• Practical recommendations to help restore working relationships where possible.

Can you support managers dealing with difficult people issues?

Yes. Managers often need practical, calm and experienced guidance when dealing with situations they have not faced before.

• Helping managers prepare for hearings, meetings and investigations.
• Advising on fair process and documentation.
• Reducing the risk of avoidable procedural errors.
• Supporting confident, compassionate and consistent decision-making.

Can you review our HR policies and procedures?

Yes. Policies and procedures can be reviewed or developed to ensure they are practical, clear and aligned with employment law and good practice.

• Dignity at Work policies.
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• Equality, diversity and inclusion policies.
• Reasonable adjustments guidance.
• Attendance and capability procedures.
• Workplace conduct and investigation procedures.
• Templates and guidance notes for managers.

What if we already have an HR team?

Many organisations already have HR support but need additional specialist input for a particular case, investigation, dispute or litigation matter.

• Independent oversight on high-risk cases.
• Additional capacity where internal HR resources are stretched.
• Specialist employment law and tribunal experience.
• Support for HR colleagues managing sensitive matters.
• A confidential sounding board for senior leaders and decision-makers.

Why choose a specialist HR consultant rather than a general HR provider?

Complex HR cases can carry significant legal, financial and reputational risk. Specialist support can help organisations make sound decisions at critical points.

• Extensive experience in tribunal and employment litigation and employee relations issues.
• Strategic risk assessment.
• Independent and impartial judgement.
• Understanding of evidence, procedure, policy and workplace dynamics.
• Practical solutions that balance legal compliance, fairness and business needs.

What is your approach?

The approach is fair, evidence-based, discreet and practical.

• Fairness: treating all parties with dignity, respect and impartiality.
• Integrity: providing honest, objective and evidence-based advice.
• Practicality: focusing on workable solutions, not theory alone.
• Early resolution: identifying opportunities to resolve issues before they escalate.
• Risk management: helping organisations understand their options and make informed decisions.

Need Support With a Complex HR Issue?

Whether you’re dealing with a grievance, disciplinary matter, workplace investigation, employment dispute or Tribunal claim, specialist support is available when it matters most.

Contact us for a confidential discussion about how we can help your organisation navigate difficult people issues with confidence.