The challenge

Our client, a large UK engineering employer, needed to complete disciplinary processes for a significant number of employees within just two weeks.

The deadline was critical in order to protect a major commercial contract. Failure to complete the process in time would have put that commercial contract at risk.

At the same time, the client's HR team faced significant pressure. Employees remained suspended while the process was ongoing, managers lacked the experience to lead such a large-scale employee relations process, and the HR team did not have the capacity to manage the project while maintaining day-to-day operations.

How we helped

The client needed experienced support almost immediately, so we quickly assembled a team of 10 HR Consultants who worked remotely alongside the client's management team, becoming an extension of their HR function.

Our consultants:

  • Advised managers throughout each disciplinary process.
  • Took detailed notes during meetings.
  • Ensured due process, company policy and legal obligations were followed consistently.
  • Managed project plans and progress.
  • Held daily debrief sessions to maintain pace and consistency across the team.

Because we were able to mobilise quickly with experienced consultants, the client required very little onboarding. Strong relationships and trust were established quickly, allowing the project to move at the pace required.

The outcome

All disciplinary processes were completed within the required two-week timeframe, allowing the client to protect a major commercial contract.

Our support also gave the client's HR team the capacity to focus on business-as-usual activity and wider business priorities, while providing confidence that the disciplinary process was being managed consistently, fairly and in line with legal requirements.

The impact

  • Around 600 disciplinary processes completed within two weeks.
  • Helped protect a major commercial contract.
  • Enabled the client's HR team to remain focused on business-as-usual priorities.
  • Reduced employee relations and legal risk through consistent processes.
  • Delivered experienced HR support at short notice. 

Lessons for employers

Large-scale employee relations issues can place enormous pressure on internal HR teams, particularly when timescales are tight.

In this case, the ability to mobilise quickly, build trusted relationships with the client's management team and provide experienced HR support meant the organisation could respond with confidence without compromising fairness, consistency or compliance.

Having a dedicated internal project manager and a single point of contact also helped maintain momentum, enabling both teams to work together efficiently and deliver the project in full and on time. 

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