Avensure Ltd

“First off we provided Avensure with a copy of the asbestos surveys which were completed and provided to us by our clients. We needed Avensure’s expertise on what the job would entail based on the findings on those surveys. They reviewed the asbestos surveys, completed by a competent Health and Safety contractor and identified that whilst the surveys had been carried out a few years back, these urgently needed a re-inspection. We were given detailed information of what we should be made aware of regarding the specific job at hand and a systematic approach of what steps we needed to take going forwards. The thorough review and the detailed email enabled us to confidently go back to our client with further queries and information regarding the status and condition of the Asbestos. Following further information from our Client we didn’t hesitate to contact our Health and Safety advisor, to review the more recent asbestos surveys. It was nice to get clarification on the processes we were already doing and further support on the specific PPE required for carrying out the non-invasive project.”

After reviewing the paperwork Avensure advised Peter on the course of action. Avensure took preparation for the tribunal out of Peter’s hands and contacted the tribunal as well as the Claimant’s solicitors. With only a few days preparation the Claimant’s solicitors had already halved their settlement expectations by making an offer of £10,000 in full and final settlement. The hearing was to deal with complex issues, law and submissions in trying to have the claim struck out on an intricately argued legal point. The claimant was cross examined whilst on oath and Avensure were able to demonstrate frailties, inconsistencies and make the claimant’s evidence look wholly unreliable. After some scrutiny from the tribunal the submissions and representation from Avensure was well reasoned and all the claims against Peter were struck out and the claim failed without progressing any further. Peter commented “I wouldn’t usually want to have outsourced services like HR but now I wouldn’t look back and think that the result was exceptional. It was a great result with such a limited time before the hearing and I’m pleased to have engaged the services of Avensure. I attended the previous hearing and understood the majority of it but this one was more technical and more legal and I was thankful for Avensure’s representation and I look forward to having Avensure as a valued partner for the years to come.”

We spoke directly with a Health and Safety advisor to ask if they were able to provide us with a working example of a lone working policy. The working policy gave us the ability to see what was required in our own setting and also highlighted the need for a risk assessment of which we needed support with. Our advisor responded promptly and sent us a template risk assessment along with guidance on this which we found really helpful. We felt that whilst the information required within the template risk assessment was really useful, we decided to use a different layout so that we could input the information we felt was necessary for The Ark and combine it into one document. The advisor was able to adapt straight away to our unfamiliar risk assessment layout, which helped us greatly in further understanding our own documentation. Whilst we understand that as a business we have to compile our own documentation, the advisor went above and beyond supporting us and spent time providing further pointers and information to cement our understanding of this specific topic. “The advice team are always on hand to help, we felt comfortable in asking for assistance and we always receive a competent response in a timely manner. This experience has given us further confidence to continue the implementation of further risk assessments and know that Avensure are on hand should we require their support.”

The initial evaluation visit was carried out with Avensure’s Health and Safety Consultant. The initial evaluation visit involved a review of the current Health and Safety documents, assessing what systems and controls are in place, a walk around of the premises to see how this is implemented in practice. The visit is closed with a brief session on completing a risk assessment by going through a worked example. “I wasn’t present at the initial Health and Safety Evaluation visit and although the documents were well presented, I was not familiar with what I had in front of me. I contacted the Avensure Health and Safety team for some further assistance as I was the new appointed responsible person for Health and Safety.” Following the initial Health and Safety visit, it was established that further assistance was needed to review the action plan and implement the processes into the business. “The response time from speaking with the Health and Safety team and being contacted by their Health and Safety consultant was fantastic. I also appreciated that Avensure had arrange for the same consultant who had carried out the initial Health and Safety evaluation visit to come and meet with me for a second time at no extra cost to Beechwood WMC.” Avensure provided support through the process of the implementation of the Health and Safety Management System and regular interactions resulted in a clear and systematic approach to Health and Safety within Beechwood WMC. “The consultant that was allocated to us had a vast amount of knowledge for our sector and was very personable. I found the support visit very interesting and was able to familiarise myself with the first report that was produced in my absence. During this Health and Safety support visit, the consultant reviewed the Health and Safety documents with me and step by step we went through the risk assessment process. I found this an invaluable tool during the early stages of my role as the responsible person for Health and Safety. The systematic action plan produced by the consultant enabled us to work through the most urgent items first and prioritise our actions going forwards.”

It was quite clear from the get go that Avensure were very experienced and knowledgable in all aspects of HR and Employment Law, and we were reassured to know that we would be able to contact an advisor on the helpline at any time of day, this is imperative given the nature of our business. Our dedicated adviser assisted us from start to finish with Holiday entitlement calculations giving us thorough guidance on the appropriate and easiest ways to make these calculations, as well as ensuring we were legally compliant under current Employment legislation. We also had an issue with the unauthorised absence of an employee, which Avensure has helped us to understand and explained what the process was in this particular instance and discussed with us the best route for the Company. We found this situation incredibly difficult to manage as we were unable to obtain any contact with a member of staff, and with Avensure’s support we were assured through each step that we were working towards a resolution. At every stage Avensure provided tailored letters and documents for our use. We felt relieved that we were in very capable hands with Avensure.

Avensure have been able to offer us the support and guidance with all aspects of HR and Employment Law to ensure that our image and standards are never called into question. In July 2015 we had a particular issue with a member of staff who was believed to have been taking money from the till, and ultimately seen on CCTV. This was a clear breach of the trust which we had placed in that individual and we were thankful for Avensure’s expertise on how best to address this under current Employment law legislation. Avensure gave us options to allow us to see which would be the best route for us to take. We chose to ultimately proceed to take formal disciplinary action for this alleged act of gross misconduct. Avensure guided us through investigation, suspension and ultimately the disciplinary processes. Our dedicated HR advisor helped us with Agendas and bespoke letters to send to the employee, and any other specific HR documentation we required. We had particular difficulty getting the employee in question to attend the hearings and we were unsure how best to address this. Avensure worked alongside us, as we requested the employee’s attendance at the disciplinary hearing. Ultimately we were left with no option to proceed in the employee’s absence. We were relieved that we had 24/7 access to an experienced HR and Employment Law adviser on the advice line, and also that we had the indemnity protection under the service. We felt reassured that help was always on hand.

We joined Avensure because they have the team and the expertise we need to help us deal with our HR and potential Employment Law problems.  They know the best way to deal with issues and ensure we know where we stand as a company, making sure we don’t put the company at risk. Avensure helped us understand our situation and guided us through the formal processes. Avensure’s HR Advisors provided the bespoke documentation we required. As an employer, Employment Law is often a mine field when considering what we can and cannot say and do in certain situations.  We are very thankful for the reassurance and support Avensure offer at every step of the way.  Best of all with Avensure’s Indemnity insurance we have the peace of mind that if we follow the guidance of Avensure we are covered if we ever have to go to tribunal, and will always have the benefit of Barrister/Solicitor trained representation We have been guided on the Employment Law issues related to recruitment, wages, procedural and contractual substance, and the expertise Avensure offered in every respect was both legally and commercially focused and if we ever need help we can call Avensure’s legal help line any time day or night.