human resources

HR Support Services from one named consultant, not a call centre

HR Support Services covering employee relations, contracts, disciplinaries, and absence management. CIPD-qualified advice, same-day guidance on urgent cases, and documentation that holds up when challenged.

Trusted by 1000+ UK businesses
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WHAT'S DIFFERENT

Make every HR decision one you'd stand behind

Every HR call you make will be tested later - by an employee, a manager, or a tribunal. With a helpline, you get different advice each time and no one across the case when it matters.

With Opus, one named HR consultant stays with every case from day one, so decisions are defensible, documentation holds up, and you can act with confidence.

Purpose built

What non-compliance actually cost your business

£20K+

Average HSE
enforcement fine

561K

Working days lost to workplace injury annually

1 in 3

Businesses fail their first HSE inspection

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SERVICES

Find the HR support you need

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Employee Relations

Support with grievances, disciplinaries, conduct, and capability cases. From informal resolution through to formal proceedings.

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Contracts & Handbooks

New contracts drafted, existing ones reviewed, and employee handbooks updated to reflect current employment legislation.

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Company Restructuring

End-to-end redundancy support, from consultation planning and selection criteria through to fair process and documentation.

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HR Advisory Support

Ongoing telephone and email HR advice from a CIPD-qualified practitioner. Commercial, quick, and grounded in current UK employment law.

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Absence Management

Guidance through short-term, long-term, and recurring absence cases. Occupational health referrals arranged when a case needs medical input.

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HR Document Drafting

Bespoke HR letters, policies and correspondence drafted for your specific case by a CIPD-qualified consultant. Not generic templates.

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Always included

One Named HR Consultant

The same HR consultant on every call. They know your business, so you're never starting over.

Why Opus

Why UK employers choose Opus for HR

The same consultant every call, documents drafted for your case, and a process that holds up if it's ever challenged - so a difficult HR issue doesn't become a tribunal.

Continuity that Compounds

Your consultant learns the case, the people, and the policies over time. Every stage of every case sits in one file, so advice stays consistent, decisions hold up, and you're not briefing anyone from scratch.

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Same named HR consultant on every call
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One file from first call through to case close
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No re-explaining, no loss of context
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Process, not just advice

Other providers tell you what to do. We walk you through it. Step-by-step guidance with every letter drafted, every meeting structured, and every process documented, so you're protected if it reaches a tribunal.

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Letters, meeting notes, and outcomes drafted for you
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Every decision documented for defensibility
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Guided through each stage, not left to figure it out
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Virtual-first, same-day urgent

Most HR issues don't need someone on-site. Phone and email support is included as standard, and urgent cases get initial guidance the same day. On-site visits are available at our standard day rate when you need them.

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Phone and email support included as standard
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Same-day initial guidance on urgent cases
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On-site at standard day rate when a case needs it
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CIPD-qualified specialists

Our HR consultants are CIPD-qualified and experienced in employment law, not generalists covering HR as a side desk. Every case is handled by someone who works in HR every day and understands where tribunals draw the line.

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Associate CIPD L5 qualified
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12+ years of HR experience across sectors
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Employment law expertise, not generalist advice
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What non-compliance actually cost your business

67%

Reduction in near-miss incidents

£28K

Saved on insurance premiums annually

6hrs

Audit prep time per branch

McLaughlan Transport
Danny McLaughlan, Workshop Director
8 sites • West Midlands • 150 employees
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Opus gave us a robust, results-based safety programme that put us in control of compliance performance. The Opus team are there whenever we need them with insightful sector knowledge and commercially sound safety advice.
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How It Works

From first call to case closed

Choose the engagement that fits the situation: a one-off piece of HR work or ongoing support.

01
We listen

Tell us what's going on

A short call to understand your situation. You explain the case, the timeline, and the stakes. We listen first, then recommend the right HR support, whether that is contracts reviewed, a difficult absence case, or ongoing advice for your business.

02
We adapt

Advice and a plan

Your HR consultant assesses your position and sets out clear options. We don't just send templates - every letter, meeting note, and policy is drafted to fit your case, your people, and your sector.

03
We support

Support through the process

Your consultant stays with you from start to finish. As the case develops through investigation, hearing, or appeal, they guide you through each stage. When a case needs medical input, OH referrals are coordinated with our OH team so nothing stalls on handoff.

The approach

Two ways to work with Opus

Both routes are delivered by our CIPD-qualified HR consultants. The difference is whether you book a single piece of HR work or manage cases under a partnership.

Pay as you go

Book a service

Pay per engagement. Scoped to the specific HR issue in front of you.

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Contracts, handbooks, and policy reviews on demand
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Redundancy consultations run end-to-end
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Grievances and disciplinaries handled from concern to outcome
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Documentation drafted for you, tailored to your case
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Phone and email support included throughout the engagement
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Fixed quote before you commit
Request a quote
Managed year-round

HR Services Partnership

A named HR consultant across every case, every month. Fixed monthly fee.

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Named HR consultant across every case
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Contracts and handbooks reviewed annually and kept current
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Employee relations support from first concern to resolution
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OH referrals coordinated for absence and capability cases
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Unlimited phone and email support, same-day on urgent
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Fixed monthly fee, predictable budget
Explore the partnership

Not sure which fits? Speak to a consultant - no commitment required.

Our sectors

HR support across your sector

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Builders Merchants
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Builders Merchants

Saturday operations, yard staff, and a mix of long-serving employees and new starters. Employee relations support that understands the culture of a merchant yard: direct, practical, no bureaucracy for its own sake.

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Warehousing & Logistics
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Warehousing & Logistics

Seasonal peaks, rapid onboarding, and high agency staff ratios. Contracts and handbooks that reflect peak-season hiring. Absence policies that work when half your workforce arrived last month, and disciplinaries that account for drivers you rarely see in person.

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Manufacturing & Engineering
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Manufacturing & Engineering

Shift workers, agency staff, multi-language workforces, and high-turnover environments. Absence management that accounts for production schedules. Disciplinary processes that hold up when the workforce is spread across three shifts.

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Garden Centres
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Garden Centres

Seasonal staffing surges, weekend rotas, and a workforce that ranges from experienced horticulturists to Saturday teenagers. Contracts that flex with the seasons. Absence and disciplinary processes that work when half the team changes between spring and winter.

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Metal Stockholders
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Metal Stockholders

Yard crews, HGV drivers, and fabricators working across indoor and outdoor sites. Contracts that cover overtime and call-out patterns. Absence and capability cases handled in a workforce where fitness for the job matters as much as attendance.

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Blog

Health & safety insights

Guidance, updates and practical advice for your sector.

Opus RAMS: Your shortcut to site-specific Risk Assessment Method Statements
Legislation update: Employment Rights Act 2025
Fire risk assessments: Safety basics and best-practice guidance
Recent prosecutions: Counting the cost of poor compliance
Bounce back from Blue Monday: Avoiding the cost of employee absence
Winter safety: Ensuring compliant working conditions, indoors and out
Recent prosecutions: Manufacturer receives six-figure fine following apprentice injury
Winter safety checklist: A practical guide for yards, warehouses, and outdoor workers
RIDDOR: Simple answers to your top six questions
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What is Health and Safety Legislation? A Guide for UK SMEs

Understand UK health and safety legislation, including HSWA, risk assessments, RIDDOR and key regulations to keep your business compliant.

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Your latest Opus Compliance Cloud upgrades

We’re constantly evolving Opus Compliance Cloud, our work-saving H&S software. See what’s new across the system – and what the changes mean for you.

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Workplace violence and abuse: How to protect your employees

Violence and abuse against retail staff is increasing. Take vital steps to safeguard and empower your team.

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Working with contractors: Selection, safeguarding, and management

Bringing on external expertise requires a different level of safety management. Maximise productivity while reducing contractor-related risks.

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Working at height: Critical training points to protect your team

Working at height is the UK’s number one workplace killer. Get a checklist of key training areas to prevent falls and improve working practices.

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Worker safety – help your team beat the chill through winter

Cold weather working can affect your employees’ health, safety and productivity. Our targeted tips ensure you’re providing all the right protection.

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Wood dust safety in your workplace - expert tips to protect your team

Wood dust is generated by machines that eject fine particulate dust into the atmosphere. Learn how to protect your staff from long-term health risks.

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Wood dust monitoring and health surveillance: Best practice for builders merchants

Wood dust is a known cause of health issues, from dermatitis to lung cancer. Protect your workers with proactive monitoring and surveillance measures.

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Wood dust exposure: Are your controls working hard enough?

October is National Healthy Lung Month, so step up protection against harmful wood dust with safety solutions that go beyond local exhaust ventilation and PPE.

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Winter safety strategies: protecting your team in cold temperatures

Winter brings a unique set of safety challenges for your business. Our seasonal solutions help you stay compliant through the colder months.

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 CIPD-qualified
1,000+ UK businesses

Take control of your HR cases

Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll talk you through how to handle it.

No Commitment
No hard sell
Straight answers on your case
Same-day on urgent cases

Frequently asked questions

How can we reduce the risk of employee claims or legal disputes?

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What should we do if an employee refuses to follow instructions?

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How can we ensure compliance with employment laws?

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How should we handle an employee grievance?

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What steps should we follow for disciplinary action?

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Is virtual HR support as effective as having someone on-site?

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How does HR support connect with your other Opus services?

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Still have questions?