Netley’s independent retailers, trades and professional services often grow faster than their HR processes. An HR audit is the quickest way to spot compliance gaps, reduce risk and improve employee experience—without hiring a full internal team. Here’s a practical, 30-day checklist Netley SMEs can follow, with expert support from HR Support Services.
Week 1: Contracts, Policies & Right-to-Work
- Employment contracts: Ensure every worker has a written statement of particulars and a signed, role-specific contract.
- Handbook essentials: Disciplinary, grievance, equality, flexible working, health & safety, and data protection.
- Right-to-work & records: Verify identity, visa status where relevant, and maintain secure copies.
Week 2: Pay, Time & Leave Compliance
- National Minimum/Living Wage: Confirm rates by age bracket.
- Holiday pay: Apply correct accrual and calculation for part-time, variable hours and overtime.
- Working Time Regulations: Monitor weekly limits, rest breaks and night work.
- Family leave: Check processes for maternity, paternity, shared parental and carers’ leave.
Week 3: GDPR & Personnel Files
- Data minimisation: Keep only what you need; set retention schedules.
- Access requests: Define how you’ll respond within statutory timeframes.
- Security: Restrict access to personnel files, payslips and health data; encrypt digital storage.
Week 4: Safety, Performance & Culture
- Risk assessments: Particularly for shops, workshops and mobile teams around Netley Abbey and the waterfront.
- Training log: Track induction, safety briefings and refresher courses.
- Performance framework: SMART goals, quarterly check-ins and a simple improvement plan template.
- Engagement: Launch a quick pulse survey; commit to one action per quarter.
Why a 30-Day Audit Works
Fast wins (updated contracts, pay checks, core policies) remove the biggest legal risks. Then you can phase in culture, development and technology improvements.
Get Expert Help in Netley
HR Support Services can run a fixed-fee HR audit for Netley SMEs—delivering a prioritised action plan and compliant templates so you can focus on growth.
