November 18, 2024
Full articleGilson Gray, Scotland’s largest new full-service law firm, has launched an innovative HR support service aimed at guiding businesses through the employment minefield.
‘Engage’ offers three cost-effective packages, (Bronze, Silver and Gold), which aims to take standard external HR consultancy support to new levels by allowing SMEs the opportunity to build a personal relationship with a specialised lawyer.
Driven forward by Gilson Gray Head of Employment Law, Graham Miller, the Engage service was conceived to address the consistent themes and worries expressed by business owners over his 15 years in practice.
The new service is already proving popular with clients stating that they feel as though Graham and his team are part of their HR function rather than an external service.
Graham said: “Having specialised in employment law for many years, it is clear to me that the market does not generally provide clients with sufficient transparency as to cost, nor commercially relevant advice
“There is a ‘fear factor’ over running-up costs for consultancy services in HR support. Many business owners believe that picking up the phone will be the start of a lengthy and costly process.
“I wanted to address this and provide a service that was personal, bespoke, and honest – not sitting on the fence, hampered by intervening insurance companies.
“I also have experience writing scripts for the many HR platforms that are fronted by a help-desk of call-handlers, who just can’t provide the real lawyer-client relationship that is achievable through Engage.”
The experience that Graham has gained by witnessing all sides of HR support, has been taken forward to create Engage, which is offered via the range of up-front, tiered packages.
While each business who signs up gets access to a named specialist lawyer, the tiered Gold, Silver and Bronze options provide discounted or even free management training sessions and a commitment to manage 1-3 individual cases per year.
Keen to make sure that Engage provides real help for businesses, the service also provides a full HR audit – allaying any fears of employee handbooks and contracts failing to comply with ever-changing legal requirements.
Evelyn Grogan, Head of Human Resources at Grangemouth-based Applus RTD, (a leading global energy service provider) is delighted with the service she has so far received.
Evelyn said: “The relationship we have been able to build with Graham by using Engage has been invaluable.
“He understands our business so well that we now think of him as part of it, rather than an external service.
“This has meant that the advice we have received from him has been excellent, and is always black or white, rather than being vague or sitting on the fence.
“By taking up the Silver package we have access to direct calls to legal experts and have also been provided with an excellent employee handbook.”
If you have any questions regarding the Engage HR support service, contact Graham Millar on 0141 530 2023 or at gmillar@gilsongray.co.uk
