HR Voices Podcast – Episode 61

Topic: Confidence in Employment Law: What Independent HR Consultants Really Bring to the Table Guest: Susi O’Brien, O’Brien HR

Host: Mary Asante, HR Independents

Release Date: 03/11/2025

🎧 Episode Overview:

In this episode, Mary Asante sits down with Susi O’Brien, employment law specialist and founder of O’Brien HR, to explore how independent HR consultants support businesses through complex workplace issues — with confidence, clarity, and care.

Susi shares her journey from senior in-house HR roles to launching her consultancy in 2022, and the critical role independent HR consultants play in helping small businesses manage people risks, stay legally compliant, and support their teams with humanity and fairness.

With practical examples, legal know-how, and a refreshingly honest take on real-life HR challenges, this episode is a must-listen for businesses looking to understand the real value of engaging a trusted HR partner.

In This Episode:

✅ What makes independent HR consultants uniquely valuable to small and medium-sized businesses

✅ How employment law expertise can reduce legal risks and sleepless nights

✅ The power of tailored, practical advice – not just policy templates

✅ Real-life stories: Redundancy done right and short-time working in action

✅ Flexible working styles: Retainers, projects, and pay-as-you-go support

✅ Why employee experience directly impacts tribunal risks

✅ Helping businesses feel in control – not overwhelmed – by HR decisions

💼 Topics Covered:

• HR consultancy for smaller charities and businesses
  
  
  
  


• Merging employment law with practical, people-centered solutions
  
  
  
  


• When and why to bring in HR support (hint: don’t wait for a crisis!)
  
  
  
  


• Avoiding disputes through respectful and transparent processes
  
  
  
  


• Confidence, not control: How great HR advice empowers employers
  
  
  
  


• Why engaging HR support early is better than waiting until it’s “messy”

Top 3 Tips from Susi O’Brien:

• Use employment law as a tool – not a threat. It’s there to support good business decisions, not block them.
  
  
  
  

• Respect the business owner’s role. Great consultants guide and empower – they don’t take over.
  
  
  
  

• Reduce the chance of legal claims by focusing on employee experience. If people feel heard and respected, disputes rarely escalate.

📣 Listen & Engage:

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📩 Got questions or want to suggest a future topic?

Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk

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