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HR Services and Employment Law specialist: For Employers
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HR Services and Employment Law specialist: For Employers
Call Us: 01491 598 600 Email Us: cw@gaphr.co.uk

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Civil Engineers

Are employees really your greatest asset?

When they are working well and firing on all cylinders, employees can be a company’s greatest asset. However, disengaged and underperforming members of staff can drain the energy from a workplace, stop a team from realising its full potential and even threaten to sink enterprises.

When our client, a London-based civil engineering company was starting out, an underperforming member of staff was causing it a number of difficulties.  “We had a member of staff who couldn’t answer the phone, used to arrive late, took long smoke and lunch breaks and wasn’t performing.  It was just a small start-up at the time and he just wasn’t pulling his weight.” 

In general, there are two reasons why employees underperform: either they lack the skills and abilities to do their job or they don’t put in as much effort as they should.  The Company tried to manage the situation by helping the floundering employee to re-engage with his work.

“We started talking to him suggesting that he put himself on further education courses.  We also asked him for ideas and he said he wanted to do a degree in English Literature, which wasn’t really what we were asking and wouldn’t have helped the situation.”

At this point the company knew they needed to get hold of expert HR advice and contacted Carolyne Wahlen at Gap HR.

“We wanted to know about terminating his contract.  We weren’t sure where we stood legally to do this, but because he was employed under two years.  Carolyne said there was very little he could do about it.  So we terminated his contract and gave him a month’s pay.   It was the best call for everyone.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, because it is someone’s livelihood.  But at least Gap HR’s advice gave us the confidence that we weren’t going to be sued for doing it.  He was a nice guy and I think he was frustrated with the job as well because he wasn’t progressing as much as he should’ve.”

This isn’t the only tricky staff situation that Gap HR has helped out with.

“There was awfully good advice on another employee who was showing challenging behaviour after he had resigned.  We were wanting to know our rights and what we could do with him, whether to put him on garden leave or terminate his contract.”

The employee concerned was spending a lot of time on the internet looking at politically orientated websites that were nothing to do with his job.  The company blocked his access to these sites which he didn’t take too well.

“I did refer him back to his contract saying that it was within our rights to monitor what employees do.  He wasn’t very happy that we looked before we told him we were going to check.  Then he tried to incite others in the office to rebel against our blocking of websites that we didn’t deem appropriate.”

Fortunately, none of this came to pass.  The company, after checking with Gap HR, sat down with their troublesome employee, listened to his points of contention and talked through the issues.  Ultimately, he saw his employer’s point of view and accepted it.

“The employee pulled his weight and finished without us having to do anything.  But it was comforting to have Gap HR there to know what we could do if the situation went out of control.

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carolyne wahlen

About Carolyne

Carolyne has run a successful business since 2003, is a well-respected speaker, and author of all things HR. There are many, many business owners across the country who have had their very stressful employee issues magically disappear because they’ve teamed up with Carolyne and Gap HR.

Why Gap HR?

We exist to help you stay legal, compliant and profitable, without shelling out for an in-house HR manager. Over 180 clients benefit from the experience and expertise of the Gap HR team.

 

Call us on 01491 598 600

Email me on cw@gaphr.co.uk

 

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Ask a Question

  • If you are an employee and feel that you have been treated badly, then we strongly advise you to contact ACAS:

    Call the ACAS Helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free support and advice.

    Simply get in touch and they'll provide you with clear and confidential guidance about any kind of dispute or query that you have about relationship issues within the workplace.

    You may want to know about employment rights and rules, best practice or you may need advice about a dispute.

    Whatever it is, just give ACAS a call, their team are on hand to respond within the hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm.

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Where our clients are:

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“We have been using Gap HR for several years now. Carolyne and her team are professional and efficient and we would not hesitate in recommending them for small businesses. It is a great relief to know we are supported by them for our HR advice and paperwork is kept up to date.”

Deb Green, Vermatech Pest Control

“I have been working with Carolyne and her team for 6 years now , when I first purchased 2Excel Logistics I found the HR scary as I wanted to do the right thing for my staff , with Gap HR on my side this all seemed easy and we have gone from 9 staff to 28 with no hassle what so ever , thank you to all at Gap HR”

Justin Wilkie, 2Excel Logistics

“So pleased to be working with Gap HR. They’ve straightened us out in no time. Their pricing is clear and they really know what they are talking about.”

Ashley Lewis, Wallingford Tiles and Bathrooms

“We are a growing company but do not have facilities in house yet for HR services in house. Gap HR is our go to service for all kinds of advice about HR for our business and we have found them very reliable, communicative and efficient. Would definitely recommend them”

Helen Gordon, Kitecreative

“Carolyne and team continue to provide great support to our business, with quick and accurate responses to help with our various HR needs.”

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“Gap HR have been at our side for a number of years now and are a great help in dealing with our HR needs”

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