Russell HR Consulting

This blog is by way of a public service announcement. Did you know that you can close your account with a bank, destroy the credit card, send it back and give written instructions that no future payments are to be made against it, yet in some circumstances, the bank will continue to make payments against your card? This can go on until the expiry date of the card has been reached – several years in some cases.

Last September I closed my business account with Alliance & Leicester/ MBNA.  They had made so many mistakes and been so unhelpful in sorting out those mistakes in my banking, failed dismally to correct then and caused me to waste so much time, that I had to make alternative arrangements.  I closed my credit card at the same time – cut it up, sent it back, gave written instructions that under no circumstances were any more payments to be allowed against the card.  After a couple of months I discovered that closed doesn’t really mean closed when it comes to direct debits.  A&L/MBNA kept paying out, regardless of my requests to stop. 

When I queried it (and only at that stage) the bank said I had to cancel my direct debits.  I asked them what direct debits were set up to be paid by the credit card.  As I had held a business credit card with them for several years I wasn’t really sure what was being paid by direct debit.  Most banks will tell you what these payments are so you can cancel them all.  But if like me you have the misfortune to have a credit card with Alliance & Leicester/ MBNA they won’t tell you.  You have to guess.  What a nightmare.

It was all a bit hit and miss, but I managed to nobble all the main direct debits. 

Then eight months after I closed my credit card, I found another payment had been put through. This time it was an annual subscription which was paid initially by credit card.  My view is that A&L should not have paid it (and as there is evidence that they had bounced at least two direct debits then it gives the lie to their assertion that it has to be paid).  We are now having a lively dispute about it.  It’s very wearing and they are being exceedingly unpleasant. Interestingly, even now they are still being incredibly incompetent.  We moved offices some months ago and have advised them in writing (several times) of the change of address, but the chaps in their debt collection department are still writing to the old address. 

So if you have a credit card which pays anything by direct debit or has made any other automated payment, for example, an annual subscription, the bank will go on paying it, even when you have closed down your account and cancelled your credit card in writing.

The moral of the story is don’t use your credit card to set up direct debits or pay subscriptions.  Unless you have a perverse taste for wasting time with corporate jobsworths in anonymous call centres, or have hours of time to unravel the problem and/ or the patience of Job, you will end up with a huge problem and an even huger headache.

I have got a complaint in with the Financial Ombudsman Service, but in the meantime I’m off to lie down in a darkened room…

To avoid the risk of costly employment law mistakes, and complaints to a higher authority, take a look at our book 101 Tips for Employers, or attend one of our employment law training courses.  Or do please contact us if you wish to speak to one of our consultants about a  particular employment law issue.

During the course of the Summer, we have given the opportunity of work experience to students from the University of Northampton and here is our latest student blog…

My name is Jummy Fakorede, a final year student from the University of Northampton studying Human Resource Management.

In life, you take a decision sometimes which might turn out for the positive or the negative. I must say one of the best decisions I took this summer holiday is doing my work experience with Russell HR Consulting. I will like to say thank you all for your warm and friendly support.

However, what I learnt in few weeks while working with the company seems like I’ve been with them for a year.

In fact, on my first day, I was fortunate enough to attend a managerial meeting where there was an appeal against dismissal. I learnt that there are 6 fair reasons for dismissal. I also learnt how to complete a Matrix table when selecting employees for redundancy.

Moreover, the company also show me some administration work ranging from how to do invoices, filing, typing of letters and searching for employment law updates on the internet. I also learnt how to do the company’s newsletter and how they send them to clients.

I’ve learnt more than I expected. I also attended a meeting in which the statement of terms and conditions of employment were explained. Following that, we had a visit to a company where we had to help in giving out their contracts of employment to their employees.

During my work experience, I also attended another meeting which was a welfare meeting to discuss attendance where some employees were addressed on their absences and the outcome if they continue. I really found it educating and interesting!

I also had the opportunity to attend a meeting on “TUPE “which is the main piece of legislation governing the transfer of an undertaking. Not only that, until I attended a grievance meeting where I was asked to take notes and then type up the letter after the meeting which will be sent back to the company. I feel like I’m part of the organisation already and I believe I couldn’t ask for more!

Finally, I would like to encourage fellow students in how good it is to do work experience and I must say it has helped and developed me a lot. I have learnt so much within a short time.

Doing my work experience, had made me realise that we don’t only need the theory but the practical aspect of our course. Once again, thank you all and I’m looking forward to be part of the company in the future.

I have recently joined Russell HR Consulting as an HR Generalist to bring some more of the ’Goode Life’ into the office.  In my first week instead of bringing an apple for the teacher, I brought in eggs for the Headmistress as, true to the television programme, we keep chickens – four rescued battery hens plus the two originals, a bantam Orpington named Bertha and Nicole, a hybrid.

Recently we have had a problem with a chicken not staying in the run.  This is reasonably easy with only six chickens to see if one is missing.  How would it be with 20 chickens – very difficult, you would probably not notice unless you saw the chicken somewhere else in your garden?

I value when all the chickens are where they should be as this weekend we found where the truant chicken was laying her eggs – 16 eggs were found under a forsythia bush.

This is the same with employees, with a small team it is easy to see if someone is late or absent – not so easy with a larger the team.  It is important to recognise when someone is late or absent from work.  It will fulfil two factors, the other employees know that absence is recognised and the absent employee knows that you value their attendance.

Russell HR Consulting is keen to get our clients to manage their employees attendance and have several ways of doing this. We publish a handy sized book called ‘Off the Sick List’ which is written for managers and covers the whole absence process, giving helpful tips, including how to hold high impact return to work meetings.

We also offer workshops and courses covering specific subjects such as managing attendance or more generalist employment law training.

To find out more, contact the team on 0845 644 8955 or email pm@russellhrconsulting.co.uk

Christine living the Goode Life!

Last week I went to a dogs’ dinner. Well, not so much of a dinner as a cocktail party! The occasion was the 21st Birthday of one of our clients, Dogs for the Disabled. I took along some doggy and people chocs to help them celebrate this special occasion!

The charity trains dogs to work with disabled people creating life-changing partnerships by training assistance dogs to help disabled children and adults lead a fuller, more independent life.

Russell HR Consulting work with the charity and also donates 10% of sales from its’ Law on the Move audio CD as well as sponsoring puppies throughout their training.

For more information on Law on the Move or to help you with your employment law training, please contact the team on 0845 644 8955.

Our office junior learning about employment law training!