HR Helpdesk

Now Available — April 2026

Looking after your team, made easy

HR Helpdesk powered by HR Circle gives small business owners direct access to qualified HR professionals — answering your questions, protecting you from costly mistakes, and handling the people issues that keep you up at night.

See Pricing Plans

Phone

01462 511100

Can you afford to ignore HR?

£ 0 k+

Average employment tribunal award against a UK SME

0 %

Of small businesses have no formal HR process in place

0 hrs

Average time owners lose weekly to unplanned HR questions

ACAS-aligned guidance

Real humans, not chatbots

Same-day response

0 +

Years advising UK businesses

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Of SMEs supported

Tribunal losses on our watch

Who It's For

Built For Business Owners Who Wear Every Hat.

You’re brilliant at what you do. But employment law, staff disputes, and HR processes? That’s a different discipline entirely — and getting it wrong is expensive.

Get help now

Growing from 1 to 20+ employees

As your team grows, so does HR complexity. Get the structure in place before problems arise.

Facing an employee situation right now

Someone's not performing, there's a dispute brewing, or you need to let someone go — get expert guidance fast.

Helping to keep you on track

Many SMEs operate without the documentation they legally need. We help you fix that before it costs you.

Retail & Hospitality

Construction

Care & Healthcare

Trades & Services

Professional Services

Simple Pricing

Flexible Support, Built Around You

No hidden fees. No complicated contracts. Straightforward HR support at a price that makes sense for a small business.

£ 125 per month + VAT

Up to 12 hours of expert HR advice per year
Phone, email & callback support
Access to standard document templates
Employment contract review
Employment law update alerts
Named HR Circle adviser on your account

Get Started

£ 245 per month + VAT

Up to 24 hours of expert HR advice per year
Priority phone, email & callback support
Full document library — contracts, handbooks, letters
Disciplinary & grievance guidance
Performance management support
Employment law update alerts
Dedicated named HR Circle adviser

Everything You Need From HR. None Of What You Don't.

HR Helpdesk gives you on-demand access to qualified people professionals who handle the full range of people issues small businesses face every day.

Stay Legally Compliant

Employment law changes constantly. Our advisers keep you on the right side of UK law — from contracts and disciplinaries to redundancy and dismissal.

Handle Team Situations Professionally

Performance issues, grievances, conflict between employees — we walk you through each situation step by step with scripts, letters, and confidence.

Ready-to-Use Documents

Contracts, employee handbooks, disciplinary letters, return-to-work forms — legally sound, editable templates so you’re never starting from a blank page.

Plain-English Advice, Fast

No jargon. No waiting. A clear, practical answer from a real HR professional — same day, every time.

Scale as You Grow

Whether you have 3 employees or 30, HR Helpdesk scales with you — without the cost of a full HR function.

Proactive Law Updates

Minimum wage changes, holiday rule updates, new legislation — we flag what’s changing so you’re never caught off guard.

Real Questions We Answer

The 10 Questions Small Business Owners Ask Us Most

If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these, you need HR Helpdesk.

“Can I dismiss this employee — and what’s the legal process?”

“How do I deal with someone who keeps calling in sick?”

“What must I include in an employment contract?”

“One of my employees has raised a grievance — what do I do?”

“How do I run a disciplinary meeting correctly?”

“How much holiday are my staff entitled to?”

“Two of my team members are in conflict — what now?”

“How do I manage someone who isn’t performing?”

“What HR policies does my business legally need?”

“I’m hiring my first employee — what do I need to have in place?”

Every one of these is covered under your HR Helpdesk plan.

See what's included

What Business Owners Say

Real Results From Real Businesses

From handling a first disciplinary to navigating a tricky dismissal — here’s what our clients have to say.

“I had an employee situation I’d been putting off for months because I didn’t know what to do. HR Circle walked me through the whole process. Within two weeks it was resolved professionally.”

David M.

Director, 8-person engineering firm

“We had zero proper HR documentation. HR Circle helped us get contracts, a handbook, and proper policies in place quickly. Now I feel like we’re running a proper business.”

Rachel K.

Owner, beauty salon with 6 staff

“The peace of mind is worth every penny. Whenever something comes up with a member of staff, I know exactly who to call. It’s like having an HR manager in my back pocket.”

Pete T.

Owner, 15-person logistics business

Our Expertise

HR Professionals Who Understand Small Business.

HR Circle has been advising businesses across the UK for over a decade. We know that small business owners don’t need corporate HR systems — they need fast, practical, human support from people who understand the pressures they face.

HR Helpdesk is our answer to that. We’ve taken everything we know about what small businesses need and packaged it into an affordable, accessible service that gives you a qualified HR adviser whenever you need one.

Every member of our team is CIPD qualified, experienced in UK employment law, and trained to give advice that’s genuinely useful — not hedged with caveats and corporate speak.

Call us: 01462 511100

Stop Handling HR Alone

Join the growing number of UK business owners who have expert HR support on speed dial.

View Plans & Pricing

Phone

01462 511100

FAQs

Everything You Need to Know

Can’t find the answer? Call us on 01462 511100.

What happens if I use up my hours?

We’ll let you know when you’re approaching your limit. You can top up with additional hours at a pre-agreed rate, or upgrade to the Plus plan. We won’t leave you without support mid-situation.

How quickly will I get a response?

Same-day response is our standard. Urgent matters — such as an active employee dispute — are prioritised. You can also call us directly on 01462 511100.

Do I get a real person, or is this automated?

Always a real person. Every query is handled by a qualified HR professional from the HR Circle team. No chatbots, no automated FAQs as a substitute for genuine expert advice.

Is the advice legally sound for UK businesses?

Yes. All advice is aligned with current UK employment law and ACAS guidance. Our team is CIPD qualified and stays up to date with legislative changes.

What's the difference between Essential and Plus?

Essential gives you 12 hours of HR support per year — ideal for businesses who need occasional guidance and access to document templates. Plus doubles your support to 24 hours, includes priority response, a full document library, and a dedicated named HR Circle adviser. Not sure which fits? Call us on 01462 511100 and we’ll advise you honestly.

What's the difference between a Power Hour and the Essential/Plus plans?

Power Hour is pay-as-you-go — a single session of focused HR advice with no ongoing commitment, ideal if you’ve got one specific issue to solve right now. Essential and Plus are annual support plans billed monthly, giving you an ongoing bank of hours, document templates, and a named adviser for whatever comes up throughout the year. Many clients start with a Power Hour and move to a plan once they see the value.

How do I pay?

Payment is handled securely online via Stripe — set up your plan once and payments are taken automatically each month. No manual bank transfers, no chasing invoices.

Can I use a Power Hour if I'm not ready to commit to a monthly plan?

Yes. Power Hours require no subscription or ongoing contract — just book, pay, and get expert advice on the issue you’re facing. It’s a good way to try HR Helpdesk before committing to Essential or Plus.