Thorogood HR provides independent and expert support with all aspects of an organisation’s staff processes including grievance and disciplinary procedures (i.e. investigations, disciplinary and appeal meetings). With her background as an employment lawyer, Claire has a thorough understanding of the legal principles and risks attached to these internal processes – and the importance of getting them right.
Independent HR should always strengthen an organisation’s relationships with its employees and mitigate legal, reputational and financial risks. Thorogood HR helps organisations implement processes in ways that deliver key benefits to them: reduced legal, financial and reputational risks, enhanced credibility and trust in the eyes of employees, managers and stakeholders and reduced pressure on internal teams.
It is critical for organisations to conduct thorough, fair and transparent investigations under their grievance and disciplinary processes in accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice. An independent investigator, detached from internal dynamics, can conduct an impartial and objective investigation and reach robust evidence-based conclusions on the facts.
Claire’s background as an employment lawyer means that she is well-placed to support organisations with independent and expert investigation support. She is highly experienced in conducting thorough and methodical interviews and delivering clear written findings.
Organisations must ensure that disciplinary meetings are conducted in a fair and legally compliant way – or face potential legal, financial, regulatory and reputational damage. However, such meetings can be emotionally fraught, difficult to manage and time-consuming for managers.
Claire is highly experienced in chairing disciplinary meetings. She is calm, professional and thorough notwithstanding the complex and sensitive matters often at stake. She is used to weighing evidence objectively and methodically. Accordingly, any disciplinary action she advises on – such as warnings or dismissals – is proportionate, justifiable and evidence-based to ensure legal risks are fully mitigated for employers.
An organisation benefits significantly from involving an independent HR consultant in an internal appeal hearing especially when the matter involves disputed evidence and/or complex facts. It is critical for an organisation to ensure that its appeal process is (and is seen to be) fair and legally compliant. Independent and expert HR support provides a robust and objective assessment of the issues.
Claire is highly experienced as both an appeal Chair and in presenting evidence to appeal panels. She understands the need to demonstrate and articulate evidence and facts in support of a decision – to record in a cohesive and clear way the reasons and justification behind it. This is necessary to protect against legal and financial risks, reputational damage and to preserve strong employee relations across an organisation.
Employees and managers need to trust in the integrity of an organisation’s processes. Independent HR expertise, as offered by Thorogood HR, delivers this for employers.
Claire has acted for us on a number of difficult and complex staff matters. Throughout the disciplinary process, she was clear, calm and professional. The management had complete trust in the process that she adeptly managed. CEO of FCA regulated SME
