Category: Blog

Laser Clinics UK | Response to COVID-19

Posted on by Andrew Knight

HR ADVICE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

Enabled a multinational team to rapidly close, manage furlough and safely reopen their businesses

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You can count on us in a crisis

“Andrew provided timely, calm and well-informed HR advice and consultancy to us at a very challenging time for our business.

I would highly recommend his steady, professional and authoritative guidance.”

Bridget Healey
Acting General Manager

Client

Laser Clinics UK, part of Laser Clinics, a global leader in aesthetics treatments

  • Laser Clinics operates over 200 clinics globally; the largest cosmetic clinic in the world, with more than 2,500 staff performing over 4.2 million treatments a year.
  • Laser Clinics United Kingdom (LCUK) opened its first UK location in September 2019.
  • LCUK operates a shared ownership model, working with franchisees and independent owners.

Challenge

Immediate closure of all UK locations and furlough all UK-based staff

  • In line with UK Government restrictions from March 2020, all clinics in the UK were closed overnight.
  • The Corporate Leadership Team was based in Australia, where different lockdown rules applied.
  • The UK General Manager needed support and guidance to safeguard UK employees and jobs.

Calm under pressure

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK, Andrew’s support was invaluable.

Giving practical advice to a group of independent business owners is no small task; somehow Andrew found a way to give each of us what we needed.”

Sue Molloy
General Manager

Solution

Practical and pragmatic HR advice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Virtual leadership team briefings to franchisees and employees.
  • Support to furlough teams and gradually return teams from furlough and reopen businesses safely.
  • Support client to setup a UK-based HR Service to provide clinic owners with HR advice.
  • Partnered with Australian Corporate Team as their UK-based Strategic HR Consultant.

Impact

Service and employees transferred; no disruption to service delivery

  • Franchisees and corporate teams felt supported and reassured.
  • Several managers described our service as “invaluable".
  • No grievances were received by clinics.
  • All clinics were temporarily closed and later reopened safely, in line with UK Government advice.

Do you need help to retain talent through challenging circumstances?

Is uncertainty or volatility making you re-think your business plans? Do you need to make some changes to your structure and wondering where to start? 

If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to help you a difficult period, then you need to speak to us. We can work effectively as a dedicated project leader, as part of your in-house team, or as an advisor to your executives, board and senior management.

We're ready to help you achieve your business goals through your people, and to overcome the challenging circumstances you face.

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CCHA | TUPE Transfer

Posted on by Andrew Knight

TUPE TRANSFER OF INCOMING EMPLOYEES

Supporting Cardiff Community Housing Association to insource and integrate their repairs and maintenance team

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A HR Consultancy that gets stuff done

“Andrew comes with a range of ideas; he's hugely creative and hugely solution focussed, he's the full package really. He gives me clarity and pragmatism, which for a Chief Executive like me, is really important.”

Hayley Selway
Chief Executive

Client

Cardiff Community Housing Association; responsible for over 3,000 homes in Wales

  • Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA) is a community-based Registered Social Landlord.
  • CCHA rents homes to over 3000 families in Splott, Butetown and Adamsdown
  • CCHA works with tenants to transform their lives, in some of Cardiff's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Challenge

Transfer a group of employees from an outsourced provider into the organisation with no interruptions to service (…during a pandemic)

  • CCHA decided to insource its repairs and maintenance service in late 2019, to deliver greater value for money and create resilience in its services.
  • In early 2020, we were commissioned to manage and deliver the TUPE project.
  • A group of employees would transfer to CCHA on 1st April 2020.

Solution

Clear, honest and open communication throughout the transfer process

  • We worked together with the in-house HR Team and quickly got up-to-speed.
  • We joined CCHA's project team and took responsibility for the people aspects of the change project.
  • We communicated with project leaders weekly, regularly met transferring employees, resolved queries, and began integrating the new team with existing CCHA colleagues.

Impact

Service and employees transferred; no disruption to service delivery

  • The team transferred without interruption to tenant services – no mean feat at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic!
  • No grievances, complaints or resignations were received.
  • We supported our client to offer aligned Terms and Conditions of Employment; 100% of incoming employees voluntarily accepted the new contract.
  • As the teams integrated into CCHA, transferred colleagues have been promoted and developed into new roles.

Do you need help with TUPE?

Are you a business looking to insource services from a supplier, take over a contract you've won, and transfer a group of employees into your team? Are you wondering where to start?

If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to help you with the TUPE Transfer and guide you as you integrate your new team into your company, then you need to speak to us.

Our experienced CIPD accredited consultants will help you every step of the way.


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