Citation

Citation: comprehensive HR and health and safety consultancy for British SMEs

Citation is a UK company specialising in HR, employment law and health and safety services for small and medium-sized businesses. Its offering combines expert advice, management software and training and certification programmes. The firm states it has more than 30,000 client businesses in the country and a 30-year track record in the sector.

Human resources

The HR area covers consultancy, 24/7 telephone advice, on-site services and outsourcing. The company prepares employment documentation such as employment contracts, employee handbooks and internal policies (dismissal procedures, garden leave, lateness policies, maternity and paternity leave, notice periods and holiday entitlement). It also offers support with recruitment and pre-employment checks, as well as an employee assistance programme.

Employment law

The legal service includes employment law advice, consultancy, redundancy support, tribunal representation, support with transfers of undertakings (TUPE) and compliance with working time regulations, the national living wage and workers' rights. The company highlights a £1.5 million advice guarantee covering legal fees and tribunal costs when its guidance is followed, as well as a 100% success rate in representation during 2024. It also offers a pay calculator and an Employment Rights Act resource hub.

Health and safety

The company has more than 160 health and safety consultants nationwide. Its services cover consultancy, health and safety policies, manual handling, health and safety at work, accident and incident reporting, risk assessments, method statements, fire safety, health and safety management software, CDM regulations compliance and support with the Fee for Intervention (FFI) regime. It provides health and safety training and offers an unlimited 24/7 advice line.

Management software: Atlas

Atlas is Citation's all-in-one platform for business management. It allows users to manage holiday requests, absence, employee records, risk assessments, policies, audits and compliance deadlines, as well as assign courses and track team training. It also includes rotas and workforce management features.

Training and certifications

The online training catalogue has more than 150 accredited courses in health and safety, HR, business compliance, soft skills and cyber awareness, with self-paced learning from any device and a dedicated account manager. In certification, Citation offers support for ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 45003, 27001, 50001 and 22301, with more than 60 auditors nationwide and the possibility of getting certified in as little as 45 days. It also handles SSIP certification through Smas, with a 95% renewal rate, and provides cyber security, data protection and employee screening services (DBS checks, digital identity checks, adverse credit checks and right to work checks).

Results and coverage

According to the company's own data, its clients are 93% less likely to face an employment tribunal and record 61% fewer accidents compared with national averages. The firm states that its clients save an average of £24,000 in legal costs per employment claim. Citation operates from the UK and serves businesses in sectors such as care, cleaning, construction, day nurseries, dentistry, engineering, food and hospitality, funeral directors and glass, among others.