HR support for co-operatives and community businesses

Whether you need a quick answer, ongoing HR and employment law support, a template employment handbook or bespoke consultancy, our advisers understand how co-operatives work.

What HR support is right for you?

We know the type and amount of support you need will depend on where you are as a business. 

Contact package

Best for: occasional HR questions and wider co-op advice

Use your annual contacts for HR, governance, finance or membership queries, including employment contract checks, grievances, disciplinaries and questions about hiring staff.

HR package 

Best for: ongoing HR and employment law support

Get advice and support on HR policy, employment law, reward, benefits, contracts, benchmarking and best practice, plus access to XpertHR and the Template Employment Handbook.

Template Employment Handbook

Best for: co-ops starting to employ people or putting policies in place

Get a customisable handbook covering the key employment policies organisations should have in place when they start employing people. It is ideal for newly formed co-operatives, those starting to employ people and organisations without a dedicated HR function.

Bespoke consultancy

Best for: one-off or specialist HR projects

Support could include tailored work such as policy reviews, HR audits, investigations, mediation, organisational change, trade union support, reward advice or bespoke training.

What our HR advisers can help with

• Employment contracts and HR policies
• Recruitment, onboarding and probation
• Grievances, disciplinaries and performance management
• Sickness absence and family-friendly rights
• Employment law compliance
• Reward, benefits and benchmarking
• Role evaluation and pay structures
• Workplace culture and employee relations
• HR audits, investigations and mediation
• Bespoke HR training for managers and boards

HR training for co-operatives

Want to build confidence across your team? Our HR training helps co-operative managers, boards and staff understand key employment responsibilities, manage people fairly and handle common workplace issues with confidence.

Training can cover HR essentials, employment law, managing people, policies and procedures, workplace culture and bespoke sessions tailored to your co-operative. Explore HR training for co-operatives >>

Why use Co-operatives UK for HR support?

Generic HR advice does not always understand co-operative ownership, democratic governance or member involvement. Our advisers understand the legal and cultural realities of co-operatives, so you do not need to explain your structure before getting practical, relevant support.

FAQs about HR support for co-operatives

Do you provide HR support for co-operatives?
Yes. Co-operatives UK provides HR support for members, including occasional advice, ongoing HR and employment law support, template policies, training and bespoke consultancy.

Which HR support package is right for my co-operative?
The Contact Package is useful for occasional HR questions. The HR Package is designed for ongoing HR and employment law support. The Template Employment Handbook is useful if you need essential HR policies and procedures.

Can you help if we are employing staff for the first time?
Yes. The Template Employment Handbook is designed for newly formed co-operatives, organisations starting to employ people and co-ops without a dedicated HR function.

Do you offer bespoke HR consultancy?
Yes. Bespoke consultancy can support policy reviews, HR audits, investigations, mediation, organisational change, trade union support, reward advice and tailored training.

Do you offer HR training?
Yes. We offer HR training for co-operative managers, boards and staff, including HR essentials, employment law, people management, policies and bespoke training tailored to your organisation.