Humane Resources Ltd is a private company whose sole source of income is payments by clients in exchange for services provided. It is not possible to provide these services free of charge. This page explains how the fees are worked out how to pay.
Fees - updated 01 May 2011
Hourly fee
- The first consultation of 30 minutes (and sometimes more, at the company's discretion) is free.
- The basic fee for work done is £40 per hour.
- No VAT is payable because the turnover is below the threshold for VAT registration.
- The maximum labour charge for a single day is capped at £360.
- The fee charged for waiting / travelling is 50% of the basic fee
Direct expenses
- Direct expenses such as travel by train, parking fees, postage, hotel accommodation, subsistence and bulk photocopying or printing (e.g. of hearing documents) are passed on to clients at cost. (Typical costs are hotel £50-80 per night, cafe meal £7.50, photocopying & bulk printing £20 for 500 sheets; Royal Mail Guaranteed Delivery of lever arch files £22.50)
- Travel by car is charged at 40p per mile for the first 100 miles of a return journey, and 25p per mile thereafter.
- General overheads such as phone call charges, incidental printing and sundry materials etc are included in the basic hourly fee.
Discounts
- Individual clients only who apply for registration with the community web site MyGrievance.co.uk get £2 per hour discount from Humane Resources Ltd.
Billing - updated 01 May 2011
- Payment is required in advance on account. For larger projects spread over a period of time this will normally mean an initial deposit and staged payments.
- Invoices and statements of account will be issued at the end of each month or otherwise when appropriate.
- Bills typically comprise [(hourly fee x hours worked) + (direct costs)]
Payment
- All methods of payment are accepted. Please see.the payment page for more information
- Advance payments are held in a client account according to the Client Account Rules and are not drawn on until the work is done. Upon request, or upon completion of a project, unused funds shall be returned.
Unpaid bills
Occasionally it may be necessary to perform essential work (e.g. to comply with a deadline) before a payment has cleared. This gives a degree of flexibility to both parties. Where a client account falls into arrears by more than one month, work on the client's case will be suspended until the outstanding debt is settled.
Termination of service
Where the service is discontinued for any reason, any outstanding debts must be settled before the client's file / documents will be returned.
Working arrangements
Ad Hoc: suitable for occasional support and advice, and/or a no obligation pre-contract assessment
Contract: suitable for a longer term commitment such as support though a grievance or tribunal representation.
The Client is contact
For several reasons including confidentiality, efficiency, legal and commercial liability, Humane Resources will have one point of contact about a case, which will be the client, i.e. the beneficiary and buyer of the services provided. This means that Humane Resources will not take instructions or give advice through any other person, including the client's partner, sibling or friend, unless otherwise agreed in writing, in advance.
Questions about fees and payment
Q. People could get this help for free from their trade union. Why does Humane Resources cost so much?
A. This business has to spend money simply to exist. More time is worked than is invoiced. The business is not subsidized by trade union subscriptions and there are no other sources of income through grants or subsidies.
Q. Compared to a solicitor, these services cost hardly anything. Why does Humane Resources cost so little?
A. Humane Resources’ director Adrian Melia is not, and does not purport to be trained or qualified in law or in personnel & development. One client suggested that the fee should be doubled to add credibility. The present fee is affordable and competitive and keeps the wolves from my door.
Q. Does Humane Resources do No-Win-No-Fee arrangements?
A. No.
Q. I am really short of money. Can't I pay for everything when I get my compensation at the end of my case?
A. With regret, no. Any client wanting to defer payment should make independent financial arrangements.
Q. How can I reduce costs?
A. By doing some of the work yourself and by giving concise instructions - see here for ideas.