gap hr services logo white
HR Services and Employment Law specialist: For Employers
Menu
gap hr services logo white
HR Services and Employment Law specialist: For Employers
Call Us: 01491 598 600 Email Us: cw@gaphr.co.uk

  • Home
  • Services
    • Architects HR
    • Golf HR
    • Hospitality HR
  • Quizzes
    • Quiz
    • Redundancy Quiz
    • Contract Quiz
    • Disciplinary Quiz
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Redundancy
    • Disciplinaries
    • FAQs
    • Contracts
    • Settlement Agreements
  • About us
    • HR Case Studies
  • Contact us

Ratcliffe Resourcing

SME Owner Concerned About Maternity Leave Request
Charlotte Ratcliffe is the owner and director of Ratcliffe Resourcing, a health and social care recruitment company.  Her small business has two employees and for a while she handled all HR duties herself, including contracts and leave entitlement.  Having worked at a senior level and familiar with HR policies, practices and regulations, she was comfortable taking on the responsibilities.  That all changed when an issue with an employee surfaced.
“I knew it was something I couldn’t deal with because I hadn’t had any experience of it,” said Charlotte.  “The employee had just joined the business and asked for maternity leave.   I realised it was quite a sensitive topic that I shouldn’t be doing myself.”
The legislation governing maternity leave is complex, and managing it can be challenging for any employer.  There are so many aspects, such as pay, pension contributions, holiday entitlement and coming back to work.  Owners need to know the full range of employment rights that pregnant women are entitled to.  Ratcliffe Resourcing B&W logoNot only is that fair to employees, but the legal consequences of getting it wrong can be serious.  So, Charlotte reached out to Gap HR.
“Carolyne and her team are very confident and knowledgeable, and it’s good to have someone to talk to because running a business can be a lonely job.  They provided us with a really good resolution that worked out well for both sides.
“It was great to have their support so I could give the employee the correct information.  It is good to know what you can and cannot do and what you can and cannot say in that situation.”
But this wasn’t the only tricky employee situation Charlotte had to contend with.
“I also had a performance issue with an apprentice, a very young girl with all sorts of problems.  It was a really sad situation and there were problems with how she was dealing with clients and candidates.  We lost a few clients actually.”
Charlotte, once again turned to Gap HR because she needed to know how to handle the situation.  The apprentice had been with her for eight months and she was unsure as to whether she had to honour the rest of her time.  Or let her go.
“Carolyne said that we obviously needed to speak to the college, and she was really supportive.  Like maternity leave, there are lots of rules and regulations regarding apprenticeships.  The college agreed that we couldn’t really move forward with her.
“She had other problems she was bringing into the office and so we had to let her go.  Carolyne helped me with what I could and couldn’t do bearing in mind the girl’s situation.”
In addition to helping Ratcliffe Resourcing out of a couple of potentially difficult staff situations, Gap HR has updated the company’s contracts and is on hand to offer advice when required.  This is a service that Charlotte values highly.
“I’m aware that if there are any changes in legislation that could affect my business, Carolyne will get in touch. It is good to know there is support if I need it.”

Charlotte Ratcliffe
Director – Ratcliffe Resourcing

golf hr book

Click here to download


ticks

Never worry about going to tribunal again!

BOOK NOW!

Do it, before it's too late!

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

 

Click here to download

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.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Where our clients are:

View Gap clients in a full screen map

“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.”

Gap HR Services Logo

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

Copyright © 2022 Name & Registered Office:

Gap HR Services Ltd.
Wallingford Road, Goring, Reading, RG8 0HN, UK
Phone: 01491 598 600

Company No. 08146299 | Contact us | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About this Website