We recognise that every employer is different, so we have created a number of different service levels (annual service agreements) to suit employers at different stages in their development, headcount and HR needs – one size does not fit all so our service can be customised to your specific HR needs, for example some Gold and Silver Service clients have also asked us to implement “cloud” based HR systems for them. We don’t tie you into long-term service agreements and if you prefer we can work with you on a “pay as you use basis”. Our HR services are cost effective and you benefit from the experience provided by our HR Managers at significantly less cost than recruiting your own HR Manager.

Employment legislation impacts on all employers equally, irrespective of their size or headcount. For every employer the requirement for regulatory compliance and its increasing complexity places a real burden on their administrative and management resources not to mention risk. Keeping up with constantly changing employment legislation has become a real challenge to every employer.

Our Bronze Service addresses these issues through the provision of a framework of essential documents for employers such as contracts of employment, policies and procedures together with access to a menu of letters, forms and additional procedures as required to a meet their needs that provide real value for money.

The Bronze Service is an ideal level of service for employers with the time, expertise and, or resources to manage employment issues but seeking to keep their employment documentation up to date. The Bronze Service is an annual subscription based service which includes:

• A review of any existing employment related documentation and employment arrangements.


• The review and updating of contract of employment templates, tailor made to client requirements.


• Provision of a Staff Handbook.


• A core set of employment policies and procedures addressing key issues such as discipline, grievances, maternity, parental and paternity leave and flexible working requests, all updated as legislation and regulations change.


• An electronic Employment Reference Manual providing information on employment issues.

Employment legislation impacts on all employers, irrespective of their size or headcount. For small employers and “start-up” businesses, the requirement for regulatory compliance and its increasing complexity poses significant risks and a real burden on their administrative and management resources.

Our Silver Service addresses these issues through the provision of a framework of documents, policies and procedures customised to each client’s specific needs as well as providing support and advice in the management of employment issues in the workplace all of which are contained within an annual service arrangement that provides real value for money.

The Silver Service is an ideal level of service for employers with low headcounts and includes:

• A review of any existing employment related documentation and employment arrangements.


• The establishment of contract of employment templates, tailor made to client requirements.


• Provision of a core set of compliant, customised employment policies and procedures addressing key issues such as discipline, grievances, maternity, parental and paternity leave, flexible working requests and use of Information Technology updated as legislation and business needs change.


• A contract drafting service where our HR Managers produce offers of employment for prospective employees.


• An electronic Employment Reference Manual providing information and advice on the management on employment issues in the workplace.


• Providing information and advice on legal / contractual obligations and entitlements.


• A menu of additional employment policies, procedures and forms on all areas of employment from recruitment to termination at relatively little cost.


• Providing telephone and e-mail advice and support for the management of employment problems such as poor performance, dismissals, redundancies, disciplinary events and grievances.

Employment legislation impacts on all employers, irrespective of their size or headcount. For small employers and “start-up” businesses, the requirement for regulatory compliance and its increasing complexity poses significant risks and a real burden on their administrative and management resources.

Our Gold Service addresses these issues through the provision of a framework of core documents, policies and procedures customized to our client’s specific needs and compliant with legislation as well as providing support and advice in the management of employment issues in the workplace - all of which are contained within a fixed price annual service arrangement that provides real value for money.

The Gold Service is an ideal level of service for employers with limited time, expertise and resources to manage employment issues which includes:

• An initial review of any existing employment related documentation and employment arrangements.


• Provision of a Staff Handbook.


• Development of customised employment policies and procedures manual addressing key issues such as discipline, grievances, equality, maternity and paternity leave, flexible working requests and use of Information Technology, updated as legislation and business needs change.


• The establishment of contract of employment templates, tailor made to client requirements.


• A contract drafting service where our HR Managers produce offers of employment for prospective employees.


• Providing employment related employment policies, procedures, forms and letters on all areas of employment from recruitment to termination at no additional cost.


• An electronic Employment Guide providing information and advice on the management of employment issues in the workplace.


• Providing information and advice on legal / contractual obligations and entitlements.


• Providing telephone and e-mail advice to support the management of employment problems such as poor performance, dismissals, redundancies, disciplinary events and grievances including the drafting of associated correspondence.

Many of our clients lack or have limited ‘in-house’ HR expertise or resources and have chosen to outsource some or all of their Human Resource requirements combining the services of our experienced HR Managers with the management of routine but time consuming HR administration activities.

Our Platinum Service is tailored to each client’s specific requirements delivering as much HR resource as they need including an agreed commitment to an ‘on-site’ presence to deal with more challenging employment issues as and when they arise. The Platinum Service provides clients with a bespoke HR Service including:

• An initial audit of HR related documentation and employment processes.


• The establishment of contracts of employment, staff handbook and policies and procedures on all areas of employment from recruitment to termination as required, updated as legislation and business needs change.


• Providing managers with advice to support the management of employment issues such as poor performance, dismissals, redundancies, disciplinary events and grievances including the drafting of associated correspondence.


• An on-site presence as required to address particular issues or to meet with managers.


• Management of "cloud based" HR Databases with employee ‘self-service’ facilities enabling efficient electronic records management and removal of paper based records; on line change facilities, holidays and absence requests.


• Undertaking HR administration functions such as drafting and issuing employment contracts, managing payroll and benefits, holding personnel records and files and addressing routine employment related issues and entitlements raised by employees.

We understand consultancy services for a diverse range of clients on a “on-off” project basis; examples of just some of the projects undertaken include:

• Staff Handbooks – OPS has been tasked with the production of employee handbooks for organisations with employees in Ireland, Gibraltar, Lebanon, Kenya and Turkey.


• Compliance Audits – OPS has undertaken HR compliance audits for many employers in the past few years in a variety of industries.


• Redundancy Programmes – OPS has been tasked with many redundancy programmes, supporting employers with their consultation obligations, developing assessment and selection procedures, supporting managers in meetings with employee groups and collective ballots and consultation with elected representatives.


• TUPE Transfers – OPS has undertaken many TUPE transfers resulting from business service transfers, mergers and acquisitions in the private sector, local authority, healthcare and the MoD involving single and multiple service arrangements, collecting and managing TUPE data, employee consultation and managing trade union negotiations.


• Competency Framework – OPS has developed behavioural competency frameworks for employers used in recruitment, performance development and remuneration planning.


• Management Workshops – OPS has run management workshops on a wide variety of HR related issues including employment legislation, discipline, grievances, objective planning, performance appraisals, redundancies and TUPE.


• HR Database Selection – OPS has reviewed, selected and implemented a variety of different HR Databases for over 30 SME clients in the past few years.

HR Databases (HRIS or HR Systems) are no longer the preserve of large employers with systems developed by suppliers aimed at the needs of SMEs. They can be inexpensive, uncomplicated, easy to use and capable of being implemented quickly. OPS has implemented a number of different “cloud” based HR Databases for over 30 clients in a wide variety of industries in the past few years either on a “one-off” basis or as part of a Gold or Platinum Service package (following which we administer the system on a client’s behalf).

We recommend and use HR systems on a daily basis that can be used by any web browser and most devices (PC, tablet, iPad and smart phone) from anywhere using the Internet; these systems provide major benefits to employers in terms of:

• Accessibility - information is available to managers and employees 24/7 with the ability to search for information, download data and documents and produce reports.


• Accuracy - with data changed in real time and employees take responsibility for the accuracy of personal information making changes on-line.


• Better communications - with employees notified electronically of changing policies and documents and requests e-mailed between users and managers.


• Efficiency - in terms of reducing the time and effort needed to deal with routine employment issues such as approving requests and maintaining holiday and absence records with requests made and responded to on-line.


• Minimising costs - in terms of reducing the effort needed to maintain records with the benefit of having resources on-line and the efficiencies to be gained from the ‘paperless’ office.