HR Support for Manufacturing Companies
From shift patterns and health & safety compliance to absence management and apprenticeships, we deliver practical HR support built for the manufacturing sector.
Book a Free ConsultationHR Challenges in Manufacturing
Every sector has its unique HR pressures. Here are the challenges we help manufacturing businesses overcome.
Shift Patterns and Working Time Compliance
Manufacturing often runs on two- or three-shift systems, rotating rotas, continental patterns, or permanent nights. Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, you must manage average weekly hours (48-hour limit, with opt-out), provide minimum rest periods between shifts, and comply with additional protections for night workers including free health assessments. Shift allocation also raises fairness issues: if certain shifts attract premium pay or are more desirable, you need transparent criteria for how they are allocated. Poorly designed shift patterns lead to fatigue, higher absence, increased accidents, and grievances. We help you build rota systems that meet legal requirements, maintain safe staffing levels, and treat your workforce fairly.
Health and Safety People Management
Manufacturing environments carry inherent physical risks, and while the technical health and safety assessments sit with your H&S team, the people management side sits squarely with HR. That means ensuring new starters are properly inducted before they go on the shop floor, that training records and competency assessments are maintained, that disciplinary processes are in place for safety breaches, and that managers know how to handle return-to-work conversations after workplace injuries. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers who fail to train, supervise, and manage their workforce properly face enforcement action and unlimited fines. We help you put the HR frameworks in place that support a safe working environment.
Absence Management on the Production Line
Absence hits manufacturing harder than most sectors because your production output depends on having the right number of people in the right places at the right times. One missing operative can slow an entire line, and short-notice absence forces you to rely on overtime, agency cover, or redistribution of work that increases pressure on your remaining team. High absence rates are common in manufacturing due to physical demands, musculoskeletal conditions, shift-related fatigue, and workplace injuries. We help you build absence management policies with fair trigger points, train managers to conduct effective return-to-work conversations, implement occupational health referral processes, and use HR software to track patterns and identify problems early.
Skills Development and Apprenticeships
Manufacturing businesses depend on a skilled workforce, but finding and developing skilled operatives, engineers, and technicians is an ongoing challenge. Apprenticeships offer a structured route to building capability, and if your annual pay bill exceeds £3 million, you are already paying into the Apprenticeship Levy and should be maximising your pot. Even below the levy threshold, government co-funding makes apprenticeships cost-effective. Beyond apprenticeships, you need structured training plans, competency frameworks, and clear progression pathways to develop and retain your existing team. We help you set up apprenticeship schemes, build training frameworks, and create development plans that align your workforce capability with your business needs.
Redundancy and Restructuring
Production downturns, automation, contract losses, and market shifts can all trigger the need to reduce headcount in manufacturing. The legal process is the same regardless of the reason: you must identify a genuine redundancy situation, define the pool of affected roles, agree fair and objective selection criteria, consult individually with each affected employee (and collectively if proposing 20 or more redundancies within 90 days), and calculate statutory redundancy payments based on age, length of service, and weekly pay. Getting any step wrong can result in unfair dismissal claims and protective awards. We manage redundancy processes from planning through to final meetings, ensuring compliance and helping you communicate sensitively with your workforce throughout.
Employee Engagement and Retention
Manufacturing businesses often struggle with high turnover, particularly among production operatives and skilled tradespeople. Competition from other employers, repetitive work, and limited visibility of progression opportunities all contribute. Replacing a trained operative costs time and money, and constant recruitment disrupts production schedules. We help you improve retention through better onboarding, structured development pathways, regular engagement surveys, and practical recognition schemes that make your workforce feel valued and invested in the business.
How We Help Manufacturing Businesses
We work with manufacturing businesses from small workshops to large production facilities, providing practical HR support that keeps your operations running smoothly and your workforce engaged.
- Design compliant shift patterns that meet working time rules
- Develop absence management policies with fair trigger points
- Support with redundancy consultation and selection processes
- Set up health & safety policies for production environments
- Implement HR software for shift tracking and absence records
- Train supervisors and line managers on people management
Key Regulations We Help You Navigate
Staying compliant in the manufacturing sector means understanding industry-specific legislation. We keep you up to date and protected.
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
The overarching duty on employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees, with specific implications for manufacturing environments.
COSHH Regulations
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations requiring employers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.
Working Time Regulations (Night Workers)
Special provisions for night workers including health assessments, maximum hours limits, and rest period requirements relevant to shift-based manufacturing.
Apprenticeship Levy
Employers with a pay bill over £3m must contribute 0.5% to the levy. Understanding how to maximise your levy pot through apprenticeship training.
How It Works
Initial Consultation
We learn about your production setup, workforce structure, and specific HR challenges in a free no-obligation call.
Tailored Plan
We design an HR support package around your manufacturing operations, covering compliance, contracts, and people management.
Ongoing Support
Your dedicated consultant understands manufacturing and is available for day-to-day queries, shift issues, and complex workforce challenges.
“We outsource all our HR to Rebox. They have been instrumental in helping us navigate the complexities of employment law and keeping our business protected.”
Relevant Services for Manufacturing
Retained HR Support
Ongoing expert HR support with a fixed monthly fee, tailored to manufacturing businesses.
Learn more →Health & Safety
Risk assessments, COSHH compliance, and H&S policies designed for production and factory environments.
Learn more →HR Project Support
Expert guidance for redundancy programmes, restructuring, and TUPE transfers in manufacturing.
Learn more →Ready to Strengthen Your Manufacturing HR?
Book a free consultation and discover how we can help your manufacturing business stay compliant and build a stronger workforce.
Book Your Free ConsultationOr call: 01327 640070