Case Study
Managing people – related issues
Working with GovNet to solve workplace issues
GovNet is the UK’s leading provider of public sector events and training courses. The organisation has been operating for over 25 years and delivers around 650 events each year.
Committed to providing an exceptional experience to everyone, be that customers or their team, GovNet makes sure that excellence underpins everything they do.
Where they needed our help
Managing complex employee relations that required specialised HR knowledge was a significant challenge for GovNet. Recognising this need, GovNet asked for the support from our Employee Relations experts in 2019 to improve the management of their people-related issues.
Our team demonstrated its breadth of capabilities by effectively managing several critical cases for GovNet, including grievances, conduct issues, and performance-related matters. All of these cases required our team to conduct thorough investigations and produce robust reports, with appropriate recommendations. Notably, we managed a dismissal appeal and facilitated a settlement process with a senior member of the organisation, which showcased the team’s ability to handle contentious cases with professionalism and tact.
During a particularly challenging period, our team has also provided strategic advice relating to a large-scale redundancy process. This involved developing a comprehensive business case and reviewing the mechanisms for selecting individuals who were at risk. This redundancy process impacted over 100 roles and required both collective and individual consultation. GovNet, having already built a strong relationship with the Fitzgerald HR team, knew that this large-scale business change project would be in safe hands.
Why our partnership works well
One of the key strengths of our partnership is the close collaboration between our team and GovNet’s in-house HR professionals. Our team offered HR expertise, high-level guidance and strategic direction, leaving their team to get on with the day-to-day operational needs of the business.
We were introduced to Fitzgerald through a recommendation and it’s a decision we’ve been grateful for ever since.
As a relatively small business, employing an in-house HR team to cover the entire spectrum of HR activities would be impractical. Our internal team focuses on areas such as training, benefits, administration, and ensuring employee satisfaction. However, when more complex HR challenges arise or there is a need to develop a strategic HR approach, it is imperative to have a reliable partner to guide us through. Fitzgerald has proven to be that invaluable ally.
The events industry was severely impacted by the pandemic, and we faced our first-ever redundancy situation in recent months. The Fitzgerald team were able to guide us through these unchartered waters and provided invaluable expertise, ensuring we navigated the process with precision and compliance.
Our working relationship with Fitzgerald has been exceptional. Their approach is deeply human-centric, understanding our business needs and taking the time to comprehend our organisational culture. This personal touch is pivotal to us.
Fitzgerald’s organisational structure, with a pool of experts covering diverse areas of HR, ensures we always have access to specialised knowledge. We are confident that there will be someone within their team who will have the exact knowledge that we require for any given situation.
Communication and collaboration have been seamless. Fitzgerald understands the importance of allowing us to lead the relationship whilst adapting to our needs. This flexibility gives us peace of mind, knowing we can rely on their expertise whenever required.
What sets Fitzgerald apart is their outstanding ability to build meaningful human relationships and their in-depth understanding of our organisation. Their flexibility in supporting us and their exceptional interpersonal skills truly make them stand out. Every interaction with each member of the Fitzgerald team has been positive, and their integrity and professionalism truly stand out.
I would highly recommend Fitzgerald to others seeking an outsourced HR provider. Their dedication makes them an invaluable partner.
James Tucker – CEO, GovNet
