The HR Department, 126, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. (t) 01-6852360 (m) 087 8527723 dbell@thehrdepartment.ie www.thehrdepartment.ie

Our Mission

To make it easier and cheaper for organisations to comply with their obligations as employers and to provide clients with the expertise and support required to create and maintain a comprehensive and legally compliant human resource function, without the overhead of a full time HR professional.

Our PeopleDavid Bell - Owner and Managing Director•David qualified as a solicitor in 1993 and has worked as an in-house solicitor for companies ranging from a start up company to a large privately owned company to a major food company listed on the Irish and UK stock exchanges. •During that time he provided legal advice in a wide range of areas including compliance with statutory requirements, particularly in the area of Employment Law. •David purchased the HR Department in November 2007 and has 8 HR specialists who act as consultants to clients across the country.

DublinJoyce Rigby JonesGer DowningCathy McGradyBarbara Carroll

LimerickPhilip Mudge

KilkennyMairead Crosby

GalwayClaire Carroll

LongfordCaroline Hughes

What are our services?

• HR audits

• Drafting employment contracts and staff handbooks to clients.

• Annual support on minor queries plus we keep the handbook and contracts updated.

• Legal advice to employers & employees.

• Carrying out/assisting clients with investigations, disciplinary and grievance procedures, hearing appeals.

• Outsourced/Contracted HR services/Training.

We have 6 main services:

1. HR Audits• We audit a business to assess its level of compliance with

over 40 pieces of employment legislation, including establishing if it will pass a NERA inspection.

• We generally meet with the client and go through a series of questions, examine any contracts and policies that are in place.

• After the meeting we collate the information and produce a comprehensive report highlighting the risks to the business and recommendations on how to reduce that risk.

• Currently a flat fee for carrying out the audit (€1,000-€1,500) plus VAT

• This increases for companies with over 10 staff by approx €20 per employee.

We have a software program and questionnaire that produces a contract of employment for each staff together with a staff handbook tailored to the clients requirements. The cost of this is between €1,000 and €1,500.A seminar model where we go through an implementation questionnaire with the attendees at the same time and produce the staff handbook. The cost of this would be around €400 per attendee.

We recently launched a web based version where the user will pay a flat fee, fill in the questionnaire online and will be able to download bespoke contracts and staff handbook with three packages ranging from €99 to €850 (which includes annual support payment)Full details on our website www.thehrdepartment.ie

2. Contracts & staff handbooksProviding contracts & staff handbooks – 3 ways

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3. Annual supportAnnual support for minor queries and keeping the handbook and contracts updated;

•Usually taken up by clients who have gone through the audit and implementation

•Currently €500 per annum

•Includes access to staff for HR queries

•We ensure the staff handbook is updated

•We send out regular HR and Employment Law related articles and information.

4. Legal adviceWe provide legal advice on Employment law to employers.

•Primarily carried out by the MD and part time solicitor who assists me.

•Because of relatively low cost base we can charge much less hourly rates then similarly experienced solicitors.

•We have a number of consultants that can be on call if required so we are very efficient and cost effective

•We have a wide range of experience and experts in specific areas and we cover many industries and sectors

•Many solicitors not competent in this area but this is changing.

5. Outsourced/Contracted HR services/Training

We Provide Outsourced/Contracted HR services/Training;

•A new service that is being provided to larger clients because of demand.

•Aimed at businesses that can’t afford a full time HR manager but need the service.

•Based on a 6-12 month renewable contract.

•HR consultant attends on site once a week/month and is also available on other days or on telephone if required.

•HR consultant is contracted by the HR Department and we invoice the client directly.

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6. InvestigationsWe carry out/assist clients with investigations, disciplinary and grievance procedures;

•Another service being requested by current and new clients.

•Many businesses too small or don’t have the staff to be seen to be independent.

•Benefits the client as is seen to be completely objective as we have access to a number of consultants who may not have any previous contact with the client.

•Charged to client on a project basis and same payment structure with the HR consultant.

•MD’s legal background greatly enhances the credibility of this service.

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Who are our Clients?

What did we do for them?

Full HR audit across 6 companies in the group - Over 1,500 employees/contractors - considering outsourced HR service

HR audit on two stores in Ireland - No HR function in Ireland

Part of Wright Group - Provide general advice to the group plus contracts for the new Venue

A US company with global operations-localised their handbook for Ireland-assist on general HR issues

What did we do for them?

About 60 staff-HR audit-revised staff handbook and assisted with a number of reorganisations

HR audit and implemented contracts and handbooks-temporary staff, part time employees

2 partners - 4 staff - Reviewed staff handbook and contracts - Advised on HR matters - Heard an appeal against a disciplinary action

Start up technology company in Digital Hub – 5 staff - Recruiting drive - Drafted contracts and handbook

Small Businesses

What makes us different?• Specialist solicitors and HR advisors working together to provide

the full range of services.

• We only act for employers.

• We practice prevention rather than cure - A lot of solicitors are brought in as last resort firefighting - we are already in the business so we try and avoid situations.

• We are competitively priced compared to many solicitors.

• Our consultants are based around the country compared to a lot of HR consultants who are limited to one location.

• The current development of the online staff handbook allows the us target companies across the country.

• The seminar approach can also be extended throughout the country.

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David Bell and the HR Department provide the essential consulting and HR administrative services required for a business located in the US with offices in Ireland. By quickly gaining an understanding of our business, culture and values David earned the respect of our senior managers in the US and in Ireland.

David SchnurCDM

Testimonials

I would have no hesitation recommending David, he provided my company with excellent HR consultancy services at a critical time when we needed to integrate 2 companies together in a short space of time.

John Kennedy Hibernia Evros Technology Group

““David provides excellent HR and legal advice with a strong sense of pragmatism and reality, which I found to be refreshing and very useful in assisting me with reaching key business decisions. I would be more than happy to recommend David to others and to avail of his services again.

John RooneyThe Brand Union

The HR Department, 126, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. (t) 01-6852360 (m) 087 8527723 dbell@thehrdepartment.ie www.thehrdepartment.ie