"Outstanding HR advice that's great value for money."
David Munday,
Practice Manager and Company Secretary at DKA
How Mentor helped this architectural business overhaul its HR processes to achieve compliance. Some Mentor services incur a cost.
DKA is a multi-sector architectural business with clients in healthcare, education and retail.
Operational for
31 years
Staff number
20
Industry
Architecture
Subscribes to
Employment Law and HR Alliance
DKA's challenge
As is typical with many smaller businesses, DKA doesn’t have a dedicated in-house HR manager or team. David recognised this lack of HR support as a weakness and contacted Mentor. “You can’t just make it up as you go along”, says David, “being legally compliant is so important - without it you’re vulnerable to both financial and reputational damage.” Before joining Mentor, DKA struggled with:
- a lack of HR expertise and knowledge
- little time to research or investigate correct HR procedures
- inconsistencies across employee contracts
- an unclear line management structure
- poor employee retention
How Mentor helped
As a growing business with various HR and employment law needs, DKA required support from a team with the necessary expertise. “The scope of Mentor’s service and the knowledge of its people means our HR issues are now dealt with quickly and easily,” says David.
- An initial business needs analysis and HR audit was conducted by an appointed consultant.
- An action plan was pulled together to identify what was needed to achieve compliance.
- A re-structure of DKA’s organisational design was completed with a new line management structure.
- Part-time, full-time and fixed-term contracts were drawn up ensuring all employees were treated fairly and equally.
- Director’s service agreements were created highlighting the level of detail needed for these more senior roles.
- An employee handbook was introduced outlining DKA’s need-to-know information, all in one place.
- Access to the HR helpline was granted giving unlimited calls and real-time live chat with Mentor’s experts.
- Regular progress reviews with the appointed HR consultant were conducted to future-proof, plan and ensure ongoing compliance.
- Access to Mentor’s 70+ eLearning modules was permitted ensuring DKA could complete training as required by their professional indemnity insurers and Constructionline, a provider of compliance certification.
“Mentor understands how our business operates – they cut through the noise and get straight to the solution.”
David Munday,
Practice Manager and Company Secretary at DKA
DKA's results
HR is no longer a problem for DKA. Since joining Mentor in 2016, DKA is fully compliant, on top of legal and regulatory change, and operates with little to no risk. “I’m a real champion for Mentor and tell everyone about you - it really has changed DKA for the better,” says David.
- We ensured ongoing compliance with support from our team of HR experts.
- We reduced risk protecting the integrity, credibility and reputation of the business.
- We freed up time tackling DKA’s HR issues so they could focus on building their business.
- We gave peace of mind ensuring the correct HR procedures were being followed.
- We helped win new business by granting access to our training courses needed for the Constructionline Gold Membership, a certificate ensuring exposure to much larger consultancies, contractors and projects.
- We streamlined operations with a new line management structure that improved ways of working, career development and sales.
- We boosted employee morale with a clear and consistent approach to all staff, outlined in their new contracts and employee handbook.
- We helped employee retention with staff feeling reassured Mentor was steering HR decisions the right way.
- We took the pressure off ensuring DKA were notified of all legal and regulatory change.
- We increased workplace productivity by introducing clearly defined business expectations, culture, mission and values.
“Our people are our greatest asset, so we have to look after them - and Mentor enables us to do just that.”
David Munday,
Practice Manager and Company Secretary at DKA
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