What is Managed HR Services? 

As your business grows, you soon realise that managing people takes time, expertise and compliance with employment law. 

Managed HR offers the ideal answer. Instead of building an in-house HR capability, you work with a supplier who delivers ongoing HR advice, guidance, and systems tailored to your requirements. 

How Managed HR Works 

A managed HR service operates as an extension of your business. You agree on a scope of support, which can range from day-to-day HR queries to strategic workforce planning.  

At OES HR, we take that one step further. We partner with you for practical, relatable support and operate as a true extension of your existing team. Our approach focuses not only on advice, but on implementation, ensuring that agreed outcomes are delivered and embedded. 

Our flagship service, The HR Doctor, is available in three clear packages: 

• Lite – Entry-level, covering one specific outcome over 12 months. Perfect for businesses seeking stability and rapid, responsive support without deep strategic involvement. Includes 24/7/365 support. 

• Pro – Covers three outcomes, with dedicated account management and proactive, strategic HR input alongside operational support. 

• Partnership – Covers five outcomes, designed for businesses wanting high-impact, strategic HR across multiple priorities, with dedicated account management and close executive steering. 

The Outcome Menu 

Clients select outcomes from a menu, such as: 

• Rapid, precise hiring 

• Complete compliance confidence 

• Streamlined onboarding and admin efficiency 

• Retention and engagement transformation 

• Proactive mental health support 

• Defensible dismissal processes 

• Zero tolerance equality and harassment prevention 

• Contract and employment documentation accuracy 

• TUPE done right 

• Redundancy roadmap and mastery 

• Futureproof workforce policies 

• Continued performance framework 

• Reward packages, including job evaluation  

Each outcome is scoped by diagnosing your primary risks for the year ahead, setting clear success metrics, and mapping a 12-month delivery plan. 

Core Services Included in Managed HR 

Managed HR typically covers the entire employee lifecycle. Key areas often include: 

• Employment law compliance – keeping contracts, policies, and practices in line with current legislation. 

• HR documentation – drafting and updating contracts, handbooks, and procedures. 

• Employee relations – resolving grievances, disciplinary matters, and performance issues. 

• Performance management – helping managers set objectives, hold reviews, and improve team productivity. 

• Recruitment and onboarding – supporting the hiring process and ensuring new starters settle quickly. 

Providers often combine these services with HR software, giving you a central place to manage records, track leave, and access templates. 

Benefits for Small and Medium Businesses 

Managed HR saves business owners time and reduces stress. You gain immediate access to fractional HR experts at a fraction of the spend, saving you £70,000 in pay and training overheads.  

Policies and procedures stay up to date, reducing the risk of legal claims. HR processes become consistent, creating a fair and transparent workplace. Most importantly, it frees you to focus on running and growing the business, knowing you have clear metrics and a trusted partner delivering results. 

Managed HR vs. Traditional Outsourced HR 

Traditional Outsourcing is fine for one-off jobs like writing a policy or handling sickness absence. Managed HR is different. We stay with you, know your people, and work by your side, not on autopilot, and not out of sight via a call centre. Managed HR provides continuous support, building an ongoing relationship with your business. 

With our flagship product The HR Doctor, you choose the outcomes that will have the greatest impact, and we deliver them over a clear timeframe. Whether it’s one key fix or a bigger change, we work at a steady pace so results stick, not only get ticked off. 

When to Consider Managed HR 

Managed HR suits organisations that have reached a point where HR tasks are taking too much time or creating too much risk. This often happens between 10 and 100 employees. It is also valuable during periods of rapid growth, restructuring, or high staff turnover. 

Choosing the Right Provider 

Look for a managed HR provider with proven experience in your sector, clear service packages, and strong client testimonials. Ask about the tools they use, their approach to compliance, and how they handle urgent issues. The right provider will feel like part of your team and give you confidence that your people management is in safe hands. 

The right provider won’t just give you advice, they’ll deliver agreed outcomes with evidence of success. That’s why our clients value The HR Doctor: a mix of strategic insight, operational delivery, and measurable results. 

The HR Doctor works with UK businesses across multiple sectors, delivering expert HR support that is practical, responsive, and outcome-driven. From stabilising urgent HR issues to future-proofing your workforce, we help you close gaps, reduce risk, and build a stronger team. 

If you want a managed HR partner who understands your business, delivers on promises, and acts quickly when you need them, speak to The HR Doctor today. 

Final Thoughts 

Managed HR combines expert guidance, practical tools, and ongoing support in one service. For many business owners, it offers the fastest route to effective people management without building an internal HR department.