We’re looking forward to the new year as we launch new HR support services. As 2025 gets underway, Shrewd HR will be building on a year of growth. In 2024, we welcomed new members to our team. It is part of our plans to establish shrewd HR as the most comprehensive HR partner for you. 

Our new services will fit in with our innovative approach to HR support. From next year, we are introducing a range of solutions, including:

• Drug and alcohol testing
• Training and workshops
• Talent analytics solutions
• Private investigation services 
• Mediation 
• Occupational health services

 

Our new HR support services

We’ll take a brief look at our new services and how they can help you and your business.

Drug and alcohol testing

Drug and alcohol use by employees is a growing problem for employers in the UK. Latest statistics show that more than £7 billion was lost in productivity in the UK economy by employees coming to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Four out of ten employers say alcohol is a significant cause of low production in employees.

We believe that prevention is better than cure. We will support you in developing a robust substance misuse policy. Also, we can help you implement drug and alcohol testing programmes, ensuring you and your business is protected.

Training and workshops

Running a business means keeping track of a constantly changing landscape. So, it is important to keep ahead of the game to ensure new practices are smoothly implemented. And it is also important to understand the role of HR in running your business and recruiting talent.

Data company WTW reports that effective HR practices in retention and recruitment leads to a 1.4 times increase in productivity. That means it’s important that you keep on top of the latest laws and rules facing your business.

That’s why we are introducing CPD and topical workshops alongside wider training courses. Our bespoke leadership and management programmes will focus on full development of our clients. Our courses are not simply a tick-box exercise!

Talent and People analytics

According to Business magazine, data shows that hiring the wrong people can cost your business at least 30% of the employee’s first-year salary. In some cases, that can rocket to 100%! Businesses cannot afford to haemorrhage cash. And they cannot afford to lose employees, so eliminating ’flight risk’ is essential.

Using our talent analytics service means we can offer unbiased assessments of your people and potential employees. This will help you with workforce planning and understand your people. 

We help determine best-fit characteristics and behaviours to help you make the best decisions about your team.

And it’s not a ‘finger in the air’ exercise – because the system has been proven to be 96% accurate!

Private investigation services

Many employers face challenges in the workplace, especially fantasy sickness and workplace theft. Over half of UK employees have faked a ‘sick day’, according to statistics. The cost to UK business is £5.6 billion a year!

The odd sick day is bad enough, but if someone is faking a long-term illness it can seriously affect businesses. 

Workplace theft is also rising. Theft by employees increased last year by 19%. More than 6,000 were caught stealing in those 12 months, police figures show.

In these cases, businesses must take action. Our workplace investigators are experienced and can help you address these complex cases. It’s one service we really hope you don’t need to use. But if you need help, shrewd HR is always ready with advice through a free initial consultation.

Mediation

If there are problems in your team, then you may feel overwhelmed about your options. According the CIPD, almost 25% of staff experience conflict in the workplace. Around 8 million employees say workplace conflict puts a strain on their job quality. And this, it states, impacts mental and physical health as well as the whole team.

Mediation can help you resolve these issues. Whilst the outcomes are morally rather than legally binding, mediation helps break barriers. The process aims to find a safe, confidential space for those involved to find solutions that are acceptable to both sides.

Occupational health

The cost of employee sickness has rocketed by £30 billion in the past six years, according to the IPPR. If you’re neglecting the well-being of your employees, then it could cost you in the long run.

Our occupational health service is comprehensive and provides a wide range of solutions. Using a multidisciplinary team, you can access a specialist in a range of health issues. With bespoke assessment services, a simple and secure cloud-based referral system and a focus on the immediate and long-term health of employees, we’ll help you meet legislative requirements.

How to use our new HR services for SMEs

Whilst we are based in the North East of England, we can help business with HR services across the UK.

We offer a free initial consultation to understand your HR needs, so contact us today to arrange your consultation.