HR FAQs for SMEs

Getting Started

How quickly can you start helping us?

We can usually get started straight away. Your first step is a free consultation with one of our consultants to talk through your situation and the options available. Once we’ve agreed what support you need, we’ll put a simple service agreement in place (including confidentiality and GDPR data processing, if required). After that, we’re ready to go.

Do you only work with certain industries or sizes of business?

We’ve supported more than 1,000 companies across almost every sector: from finance and insurance through to creative agencies, manufacturers, and hospitality. Whether you’re a start-up, a growing SME, or an established business, we’ll scale our service to fit your needs.

Do I need to sign a contract before you can help?

No. Your first consultation is completely free and there’s no paperwork needed for that stage. After that, we’ll put a simple agreement in place so it’s clear how we’ll work together. For contracts, policies, or process work, this just means a confidentiality agreement and our standard terms. If we’re discussing specific employees, we’ll also add a GDPR agreement so personal data is protected.

Is everything we discuss confidential?

Yes. We take confidentiality very seriously. A confidentiality agreement is always part of our service, and if we’ll be discussing employee matters, we’ll also put a GDPR data processing agreement in place. While we’re not lawyers, and so don’t have legal privilege, you can be assured that everything you share with us is kept private and handled with care.

What happens in the free consultation?

Your free consultation is a straightforward conversation with one of our consultants. We’ll listen to what’s happening in your business, answer your questions, and talk through the options that could work for you. There’s no obligation. The aim is simply to help you see the best way forward.

Do I need to have everything ready before speaking with you?

Not at all. Many clients come to us when things feel messy or unclear. You don’t need perfect paperwork or all the details tied up. That’s what we’re here to help with. Just tell us what’s on your mind and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Costs and Packages

How much does HR support cost?

The cost depends on what support you need and how you’d like to work with us. Some services, like contracts or handbooks, are a fixed price. For other matters, you can choose Pay As You Go, a retained package, or a one-off project. We’ll always be clear about the options and the likely costs before you decide.

Do you offer one-off advice or only ongoing packages?

You can work with us in whatever way suits your business. If you just need one-off advice, we can help on a Pay As You Go basis. If you want ongoing support, we can set up a retained package. And if you have a specific project in mind, we’ll agree a fixed price for that work.

Are there hidden costs I should be aware of?

No. We don’t believe in surprises when it comes to pricing. We’ll explain exactly what’s included before we start, and you’ll only ever pay for the services you’ve agreed to.

Do you offer fixed-price projects?

Yes. For work with a clear scope, such as contracts, policies, or handbooks, we can agree a fixed price upfront. This gives you certainty about the cost before we start and makes it easy to budget.

How do I know how much my HR support will end up costing?

Some HR issues are straightforward, others can take unexpected turns. We’ll always give you an estimate at the outset and keep you updated if it looks like more time will be needed. You stay in control of how far we go, and you’ll never receive an invoice you weren’t expecting.

Compliance and Legal Assurance

Do you make sure the process is legally compliant?

Yes. Everything we do is aligned with UK employment law and ACAS guidance. We’ll guide you step by step so you can feel confident the process is fair, transparent, and stands up to scrutiny.

How do you ensure your advice follows UK employment law and ACAS guidance?

Our consultants are CIPD-qualified and experienced in supporting SMEs. We keep up to date with legislation and best practice, and we always explain how the law applies to your situation in plain English. That way, you know exactly what’s required and why.

Will your documents stand up in a tribunal?

Yes. We draft letters, policies, and contracts that meet legal requirements and follow ACAS guidelines. We are also always mindful that documents could end up supporting a legal case and ensure that they are thorough and detailed. Obviously, our overall aim is to try to prevent you facing an Employment Tribunal claim in the first place. But, if the worst happens, then you can be confident that you’ll have a clear audit trail and detailed documentation to support your case.

Can you help us prepare for a tribunal if it happens?

We can. Our first aim is always to minimise the risk of a case getting that far by guiding you through a fair process. If a tribunal does become necessary, we’ll help you gather the right evidence, ensure your documentation is in order, and work closely with your legal team to make sure you’re fully prepared.

Documents, Processes, and Tools

Can you provide templates, letters, and scripts?

Yes. We’ll give you everything you need to manage a situation properly, from template letters and meeting scripts through to full policies and contracts. All of our documents are written in plain, straightforward language so you and your team know exactly what’s being said and what actions are required.

Do you adapt documents to our business, or are they standard templates?

We’ll adapt documents to reflect your business and the situation you’re facing. While we have tried-and-tested templates as a starting point, we tailor them so they fit your organisation, your culture, and your needs. That way, the documents are both legally sound and practical for you to use.

Can you update our existing documents instead of starting from scratch?

Yes. If you already have contracts, policies, or a handbook in place, we can review them and make updates where needed. Sometimes a refresh is all that’s required, and we’ll let you know if that’s the most cost-effective option. If we think starting again would serve you better, we’ll explain why and give you a clear recommendation.

Can you guide us through the right process and provide tools to help?

Yes. Alongside the documents, we’ll map out the steps you need to take, including who should be involved, what needs to be said, and when it should happen. We’ll also give you practical tools such as checklists, flowcharts, and trackers so you can stay organised and confident throughout the process.

Working With LighterHR

Will I work with the same consultant each time?

Yes. You’ll have a named consultant who gets to know your business and your team. If they’re away, a second consultant will step in so you always have someone who’s familiar with your situation.

Can you manage the whole process for us, or just advise?

It’s your choice. Some clients prefer to handle the process themselves with our advice in the background. Others ask us to take care of everything, from drafting letters to running meetings. We’ll agree the level of support that works best for you.

Do you work on-site as well as remotely?

Yes. We can support you by phone, email, and video call, and we can also come to your workplace when you need us there. Many clients like a mix of both depending on the issue, and in sensitive situations we can meet off-site if that’s more appropriate.

Do you only support clients in London and Manchester?

While our offices are in London and Manchester, we work with clients across the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland. Many of our clients have sites or teams in different regions, and we’re used to providing support wherever you’re based.

Can you support us if we have employees outside the UK?

Yes. Our expertise is in UK employment law, but we’ve also supported clients with international teams. We have strong experience with employment law in Western Europe, as well as US employment law (including state-level rules in New York and California) and Australian employment law. We don’t provide international legal advice ourselves — we’ll usually work alongside your local legal firm, who will already know the specifics of your jurisdiction. Several of our consultants are bilingual and can conduct business in French, Dutch, and Italian, which helps when working across borders.

How quickly can I reach my consultant if something urgent comes up?

We know HR issues don’t always wait for a convenient time. You’ll have your consultant’s direct contact details, and we’ll respond as quickly as possible. For urgent matters, we aim to give you same-day support so you’re not left waiting.

Specialist Support

Can you help with sensitive or complex cases?

Yes. We regularly support clients with sensitive situations such as grievances, disciplinaries, redundancies, and disputes. Our consultants bring both expertise and empathy, helping you navigate the process with care while keeping everything legally compliant.

What if I haven’t followed the process correctly so far?

Don’t worry. Many clients come to us after something has already happened. We’ll help you get things back on track, minimise the risk of escalation, and put the right steps in place going forward.

Do you work with other specialists if needed?

Yes. When a situation calls for it, we’ll work with the specialists you already use, or we can introduce you to trusted partners such as Occupational Health professionals, Health & Safety experts, or employment lawyers. This way you get joined-up support that covers every aspect of the issue, without having to manage everything on your own.

General Approach & Philosophy

How do you balance protecting the business with looking after employees?

We believe the two go hand in hand. By treating people fairly and with respect, you reduce risk to the business and create better outcomes for everyone involved. Our role is to guide you to solutions that are legally sound, commercially sensible, and human.

What’s your approach to handling stressful or urgent HR issues?

When something urgent comes up, our first job is to take the pressure off you. We’ll listen to what’s happened, explain your options clearly, and guide you through the right next steps. The aim is to give you confidence and calm, even in difficult situations. Sometimes things aren’t as bad as you think they are!

What’s different about working with LighterHR compared to other providers?

We don’t believe in long tie-ins, hidden costs, or off-the-shelf advice. Our support is flexible, transparent, and tailored to your business. Clients stay with us because they value clear guidance, practical solutions, and the reassurance of working with a named consultant who really understands their business.

Other Services

Do you provide HR software?

We don’t offer our own HR system, but we work with most of the specialist HR software products on the market. Whether you already have a platform in place or are looking to choose one, we can help you get the best out of it. Our focus is on making sure the processes and documents you use fit smoothly with your system and with the way your business runs.

Do you provide HR insurance?

No. We don’t sell HR insurance, and in our experience it rarely delivers good value. The best protection is to handle situations properly from the outset, treating everyone with dignity and respect. That said, if you already have an HR insurance policy, we’re used to working within their terms and conditions to make sure you stay covered while still finding a fair and practical outcome.