The helpline, which is run in collaboration with Peninsula Business Services Ltd, a leading employment law and personnel consultancy, received over 1,000 queries from DDU members in 2015. Of the 240 calls and emails received in the first three months of 2016, nearly a quarter (56 cases) centred on conduct issues. While a further 31 questions were about sickness absence and 30 dentists had concerns about terms and conditions of employment.
Due to the popularity of the service, the DDU plans to offer members who need more specialised advice, access to a face to face meeting with an employment law expert from Peninsula Business Services, at a discounted rate.
Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, explained:
“We know that one of the biggest challenges of running a dental practice is managing staff. Overseeing a busy dental team can make it difficult to keep on top of any employment issues that arise such as conduct and sickness absence. For the past three years we have offered our dental principal members free telephone and email access to a specialised consultant with in depth knowledge and expertise in employment law.
“But there will be occasions where only a face to face meeting will do or where the dentist needs someone impartial to help them. That’s why we are offering our members discounted access to face to face assistance and impartial advice from an employment law expert.”
Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula Business Services, said:
“With our HRFace2Face service, the stress of dealing with employment issues is taken away from the dentist who can be safe in the knowledge that a specialist is dealing with the matter. For example, our legal experts can conduct a disciplinary meeting for the dentist or in conjunction with them. We will ensure that the process is legally compliant, conducting any necessary investigations and provide the dentist with a written recommendation to help resolve the matter. We are sure the DDU’s dental principal members will find this additional service useful, particularly if they need specialist help with an employment matter.”
DDU members can request and pay for this service as and when needed and receive an exclusive 10 per cent discount off the standard price.