What's the difference between HR Buddy and HR Buddy On Demand?
HR Buddy is a monthly retainer: you pay £245/month and get a named HR professional available throughout the month, covering advisory, templates, quarterly calls, law updates, and proactive support. HR Buddy On Demand has no monthly commitment: you pay £125 to access the service, then £125/hour for exactly what you need. On Demand is best for urgent situations or one-off queries; the retainer is for business owners who want steady, ongoing support before things go wrong.
What if I need more than 2 hours in a month?
Most clients use well under the 2-hour allowance. If you have an unusually busy month, we'll let you know and can offer additional time at the On Demand rate (£150/hour). If you're consistently hitting the limit, it usually means you're ready for a more comprehensive retained programme, and we'll have that conversation openly.
Is this just an advice line?
No. Large HR providers give you a rotating cast of advisors reading from a script. HR Buddy gives you Elena, or a named senior associate, who knows your business, your team, and your situation. You get continuity and judgment, not a call centre.
Can you handle a disciplinary or grievance?
HR Buddy covers advisory: we guide you through the process, review your letters, and tell you exactly what to do at each step. If you need someone to attend formal meetings or manage a complex case end-to-end, that's available from £1,000 as a project add-on.
What's the commitment period?
3 months minimum, then rolling monthly. We keep the barrier low because we're confident you'll stay. Once you have proper HR support, going back to winging it isn't appealing. If it's not working, 30 days' notice either way.
Do I need this if I only have 2 or 3 employees?
Especially then. The January 2027 change (unfair dismissal qualifying period dropping from 2 years to 6 months) means even your earliest hires carry real tribunal risk after six months. Getting your contracts and processes right now is far cheaper than fixing a claim later.
How is this different from Peninsula or Croner?
Three ways: you speak to the same person every time, there's no 5-year contract, and the advice is specific to how your business works, not generic scripts for any industry. We understand small service businesses: small permanent teams, occasional hires, and the kind of people issues that need a practical answer, not a script.
We already have someone doing HR internally. Is this still relevant?
Yes, and often this is where HR Buddy is most valuable. If you have an office manager, EA, or junior HR person handling people matters, they're likely doing their best on things that genuinely need senior expertise: a tricky dismissal, a grievance, or a specific contract or compliance question. HR Buddy gives them (and you) a qualified professional to call on for exactly those situations, without the cost of a full consultancy retainer. Senior-level support, used only when you need it.
