One of South Wales’ leading law firms has launched a comprehensive new professional services app to offer HR help to businesses.

HE Create and Consult part of the HardingEvans Group has created the HR in Hand app which is an invaluable interactive HR tool for SMEs.

The app is a joint collaboration between Newport-based HardingEvans’ latest venture, HE Create & Consult, the Centre of Excellence in Mobile Applications and Services and the University of South Wales.

HR in Hand’s primary purpose is to assist managers and those responsible for dealing with employees in employment matters, which has been deliberately designed to use plain English and information is delivered in a variety of formats to appeal to a range of users.

Daniel Wilde, partner at HardingEvans said: “This project came about following a strategic review into how businesses access employment law and HR advice services. It was through this that we identified a gap in the market for a HR app that offers tools and advice for both HR professionals and those working for SMEs who can’t afford a permanent HR resource.”

The app includes guidance, checklists, learning media, employment contracts and updates. A key feature of the app is the interactive content that tests the user’s understanding on an employment issue through CPD and other training tracking at the end of each training video.

There are also calculators to work out maternity, redundancy and holiday pay, a selection of letter templates and checklists to ensure that HR processes are followed within the letter of the law.

Daniel said: “We believe this project demonstrates how collaboration between the academic and commercial sectors can benefit businesses such as ours. Without the support from CEMAS and the associated funding we would not have been able to provide this technology.”

Khalid Al Begain, CEMAS director, said: “CEMAS is unique in that we are able to minimise the initial risks to businesses that are associated with developing a mobile application through a fully funded app development programme available to eligible SMEs in Wales.

“When HardingEvans approached us about supporting them with this app we jumped at the opportunity because it fits in so closely with our own ethos of working with SMEs.”

Stevan Burrows, graduate programmer, developer team, CEMAS, said: "Developing the HR in Hand app for HE C&C was an interesting project to undertake, especially for the wealth of knowledge the app was making available to the user. It was a project where the user experience was key, requiring a level of creative and innovative thinking in how best to engage the user in a meaningful way.

“Working with HE C&C on this app has been an absolute pleasure, and with the formation of a dedicated team the app is sure to go from strength to strength.”