Pat Nightingale

Achievements
• Working with the management team when they purchased 3 companies within a 12 month period. Conducting the Due Diligence requirements and ensuring full compliance with the TUPE regulations and working with the respective staff of each purchase to ensure a smooth and trouble free transition.

• Being available as and when my clients wish support with all their HR issues and requirements.

• I would like to think one of my best achievements is, that in the 12 years I have been a freelance HR manager I have only visited the Employment Tribunal once!!! That is because, although I have a very pragmatic approach, I still believe it is my duty to ensure my clients follow the procedures as laid down and I am not afraid to tell my clients if they are wrong and likely to be in breach.

I don’t expect any senior executive to have to deal with HR issues and as such, my ethos is to prepare and deliver any and all HR procedures at a company’s premises dealing direct with their workforce

I am an advocate of being totally hands on as well as being completely open and honest with both the employer and their employees - at each visit to a clients premises I always try to walk round and take the time to speak to as many individuals as possible and to assist them in any way I can. As an example, one day I was walking round the shop floor and an employee asked for a quiet word. He explained that through one disaster or another he had found himself in serious debt. I managed to put him in touch with someone who could help (which they did|) and everything got back on track – including productivity! His work and indeed his attendance had suffered because he was so preoccupied with his situation that his mind was not on what he was supposed to be doing!!!!

I strongly believe HR is there to help and assist rather than being seen as the “grim reaper” who only appears when there’s trouble. My pragmatic approach often means that issues can be nipped in the bud before they become out of control. Of course this approach does not mean if there are unpleasant issues to deal with that they won’t be done . Of course they will – my job is to ensure all policies and procedures are adhered to, but make no mistake, any breaches by employees will also be dealt with, but ensuring laid down procedures are followed.

I am a HR generalist offering a range of cost effective services dealing with day to day HR issues from one-off projects such as TUPE and Due Diligence through to preparing bespoke Company Handbooks together with contracts and appropriate job descriptions. I am also able to offer the provision of on-going HR support with a tailored business support package, or assistance with conflict resolution i.e. preparing and conducting staff interviews relating to all aspects of employing staff, including the initial investigation, disciplinary and grievance procedures, maternity/paternity etc.

I am happy to work on a daily or hourly rate and am also pleased to quote of pieces of work as and when they arise. I don’t expect any senior executive to have to deal with HR issues and as such, my ethos is to prepare and deliver any and all HR procedures at a company’s premises dealing direct with their workforce.