A HUMAN resources expert has launched a new business offering practical employment advice and support to small and medium-sized businesses. Peter Bailes, from Carlton Colville near Lowestoft, has opened The HR Dept for East Norfolk and North Suffolk to serve companies across Acle, Beccles, Bungay, Diss, Great Yarmouth, Halesworth, Harleston, Long Stratton and surrounding areas, enabling smaller firms to access tools and expertise usually employed by large organisations with in-house HR professionals.

A HUMAN resources expert has launched a new business offering practical employment advice and support to small and medium-sized businesses.

Peter Bailes, from Carlton Colville near Lowestoft, has opened The HR Dept for East Norfolk and North Suffolk to serve companies across Acle, Beccles, Bungay, Diss, Great Yarmouth, Halesworth, Harleston, Long Stratton and surrounding areas, enabling smaller firms to access tools and expertise usually employed by large organisations with in-house HR professionals.

The business will act as a human resources department for local employers with Peter working remotely or with clients at their places of work, helping to prevent people problems by ensuring businesses have all the advice and information they need on HR issues, contracts and handbooks, performance and absence management, recruitment and retention of staff, disciplinary and grievance procedures and staff surveys.

The HR Dept also specialises in managing restructuring or redundancy and offers an unlimited use employment advice line.

Mr Bailes has worked in management for over 20 years including 10 years at director level and has previously owned his own business. He was most recently HR Director for Desira Group Plc, an automotive dealer group based across East Anglia and North London, managing a large and diverse workforce. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

'Initial interest has been strong especially from businesses looking for help with managing sickness absence and introducing policies before the World Cup which traditionally sees 'sick leave' increase massively,' said Mr Bailes, who plans to recruit a team of advisors and expand into new larger premises as the business grows.

The HR Dept was launched in Bristol in 2003 by Sue Tumelty, a senior experienced human resources professional.

The company now has 38 offices in England and Wales, each owned and managed by experienced HR professionals backed by the support and resources of the HR Dept organisation.