Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services is a long-standing Watershed client. It helps their customers to deliver high-quality inspections and repairs, term maintenance or new build capital projects by supplying a broad range of products and services. These include scaffolding, insulation, cladding, coating, labour, project management, and safety systems. It employs approximately 2,500 people across six continents. Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services are passionate about people and believes its culture helps employees to grow their abilities and reach their full potential.

We have assisted Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services on employment law issues and managing people for over 10 years. We work closely with the human resources team and line managers to advise on complex matters so they can focus on running the business.

In February 2020, we advised the company on a programme of work to ensure compliance with the IR35 and off-payroll working regulations implemented across the private sector in April 2020. This included:

 

• investigating working arrangements of contractors

• creating an internal process which complied with the new regulations

• preparing necessary documents

• meeting with employees who were operationally responsible for contractors to train them on how apply the internal process.

 

In April 2020, following a fall in demand owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, we supported the company with a restructure which affected more than 100 employees. We advised on the company's obligations under the collective consultation legislation, devised a process plan, drafted necessary documents and advised on responding to complex employment law issues.

Examples of our other work include:

 

• Advising the company on obligations under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 in relation to several successful tenders.

• Successfully defending the company in arbitration proceedings prescribed under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry.

• Advising the company on responding to threats of industrial action and negotiations with relevant trade unions.

• Delivering employment law training to the human resources team and site managers.

 

Emma Patmore, Human Resources Director says:

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"We continue to work with Watershed because their approach is commercial, strategic and attuned to the needs of business. They take the time to understand our business and the challenges we face. Their people are approachable and responsive, and we trust them to provide rational and sound advice on complex issues."