Golf HR Services

Outsourced employment law advice for golf clubs

Golf HR Services is a British employment law and HR advisory firm that works on an outsourced basis for private member golf clubs. Its approach is to take over the club's HR management so that the club can focus on its activity, keeping documentation and employment practices within the law and away from employment tribunals.

The firm was founded by Carolyne Wahlen with the express aim of offering expert HR support to private golf clubs in the UK that do not have an in-house HR manager. According to its presentation, it has been helping its clients stay tribunal free since 2003.

Services and way of working

The service is built around the outsourcing of HR functions and employment law advice. The firm helps clubs review and update contracts and employee handbooks, identify possible breaches or illegalities in documentation and business practices, and establish action plans for problematic staff situations.

Among the actions it describes is the tribunal audit meeting, in which potential sources of employment conflict are identified, gaps or illegalities in contracts and handbooks are highlighted, and an action plan is drawn up to deal with difficult scenarios. The firm also offers guidance on choosing the right level of support for each club.

Clients and experience

Golf HR Services works with private member golf clubs, including clubs in the Top 100 and others just outside that ranking. The firm states it has more than twenty years of experience and more than 300 retainer clients, and says its services have been aimed at keeping those clubs free of employment tribunal proceedings.

The reviews on the site, with a rating described as excellent based on 46 reviews, come from clients in different sectors who describe quick responses, clear advice and a working relationship they see as an extension of their own team. Several reviews mention support with policies and handbooks, with unique staff situations and with a long-term sickness case, as well as with a complex TUPE operation.

Resources and consultation tools

The site offers users several self-assessment quizzes on employment law, redundancy, employment contracts, disciplinary procedures and seasonal, casual or zero hours workers. It also includes an information centre with an HR blog and sections on contracts, FAQs, disciplinary procedures, dismissals, employee bank holiday entitlement, redundancy and settlement agreements.

The firm offers a downloadable guide aimed at keeping golf clubs tribunal free and handles initial enquiries free of charge. For employees who consider they have been treated badly, the site refers them to the ACAS helpline, a UK public employment conciliation service.