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HR policies and employee handbook support for UK businesses

Modern, compliant policies and readable handbooks that reflect your culture, not a generic template.

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Who this is for

This service is for businesses that have no written HR policies, or have a handbook that is out of date, too long or never read. Policies help managers make consistent decisions, give employees clarity on what to expect, and show that you have acted reasonably if a dispute arises. The best ones are short, plain and specific to how your business actually works.

Common situations

  • You are growing and need to move from informal habits to written, consistent rules
  • Your handbook was written years ago and no longer reflects the law or your culture
  • You need policies on flexible, hybrid or remote working
  • A client, investor or insurer has asked to see your policies
  • You want a handbook that people enjoy reading, as a PDF or a digital people hub
  • You want a regular check that your policies keep up with changes in employment law

How Progressive HR helps

I offer four levels of support, so you can choose what suits your size and budget.

  • Essential policy pack: 10 core policies, lightly tailored to your business
  • Employee handbook: a modern, readable handbook that brings your policies, culture and ways of working together
  • HR starter pack: a contract template, the Essential policy pack, an offer letter and an onboarding checklist
  • Bespoke policy suite: up to 50 fully bespoke policies tailored to your culture and industry, with an optional handbook or digital people hub

The Essential policy pack covers disciplinary, grievance, absence, holiday, flexible and hybrid working, equality and anti-harassment, data protection, whistleblowing, family leave and a health and safety statement. If you would prefer something more engaging than a PDF, I can build your handbook as a digital people hub in Notion or Google Sites, so people can search it and find answers quickly.

How it works

  1. Book a free 20-minute call to talk through your business, your culture and what you need.
  2. I recommend the right level of support and confirm the fixed price before any work starts.
  3. I draft the policies or handbook in plain English and share them for your comments.
  4. I finalise the documents, and can help you introduce them to your team and keep them up to date.

Pricing

From £750

Essential policy pack of 10 core policies

The Essential policy pack is from £750. An employee handbook is from £950, and the HR starter pack is from £1,200. A bespoke policy suite of up to 50 policies is from £2,500, with an optional handbook or digital people hub. Final prices are agreed up front and depend on the size and complexity of your business.

If you would like your policies kept current, HR Helpdesk Plus at £295 a month includes an annual policy and handbook check.

Why work with Richard

I have developed and updated policies and handbooks as an in-house HR Manager, for businesses with teams in the UK and overseas. I focus on making them useful: short, specific and written for managers and employees, not for lawyers. You deal directly with me, and my work is reviewed personally before it reaches you. Progressive HR provides HR guidance, not legal advice, and I will say if a particular policy is worth a legal review.

Frequently asked questions

Which HR policies does a small business need?

At a minimum, most employers should have written procedures for disciplinary and grievance matters, plus policies covering absence, holiday, equality and anti-harassment, data protection and health and safety. The Essential policy pack covers these and more.

What is the difference between a policy and a handbook?

A policy sets out the rules and process for one topic, such as absence. A handbook brings your policies, culture and ways of working together in one place, so new starters and managers can find what they need.

Can the handbook be digital?

Yes. As an alternative to a PDF, I can build a digital people hub in Notion or Google Sites. It is easier to search and update, and easier for people to read on their phones.

How often should policies be reviewed?

Reviewing them at least once a year is good practice, and sooner if the law or your business changes. HR Helpdesk Plus includes an annual policy and handbook check.

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Talk it through with Richard

Tell me what is happening in your business and I will recommend the simplest next step, with the price agreed before any work starts.

Book a free 20-minute call