Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • Maternity & Paternity
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • Maternity & Paternity
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Employment law

Legal speak interview: Charles Crookall, HR manager, law firm Halliwells in Manchester

by Personnel Today 29 Dec 2009
by Personnel Today 29 Dec 2009

How did you get to where you are now?


I became frustrated with the public sector and its inflexibility, so I decided to return to the private sector. I had worked in financial and professional services in London but law was new to me. I recall telling the recruitment consultant that Halliwells wouldn’t be interested in me as I hadn’t worked for a law firm. How wrong can you be?


What takes up most of your time at work?


Dealing with people and their issues.


Which three attributes are needed to do your job?


Relationship building, personal and professional credibility, and a very thick skin!


What legislation causes you the most headaches?


TUPE.


How do you keep up with new and changing legislation?


I regularly read articles and case studies. Working for a law firm gives me ready access to expert advice. I also attend our employment law seminars for clients which enables me to meet HR professionals from a broad range of organisations.


What’s HR’s biggest legal challenge?


The need to ensure compliance.


What do you enjoy most about your job?


The variety, and also the opportunity to work with a really diverse group of people.


What’s the most challenging case/situation you’ve had to deal with?


When working for the Highways Agency a drunken lorry driver hit one of our patrol vehicles, almost killing our two officers, and then ploughed into a motorist, killing her. I worked with the officers and other traumatised staff who had witnessed the incident on screen in our control room.


What would be in your room 101?


Trash TV and Halliwells’ detractors – who seem to be motivated by jealousy.


What really annoys you in life generally?


Intolerance in all its forms.


If you could wish one employment law away, what would it be?


I would not wish away any one in particular, but would like to re-write some of them.


If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?


The human race’s ability to destroy everything it comes into contact with.


When you were a youngster, what was your ambition?


To be a professional footballer (goalkeeper). I had trials for Blackpool in their First Division days and also Blackburn Rovers. Sadly I didn’t make the grade, but enjoyed a long and successful career in senior amateur football. Ironically, I was offered terms to play rugby league for Blackpool Borough but turned them down as I hoped that football would come knocking.


Who’s your hero?


Nelson Mandela – a true living legend who fought against oppression and hatred and emerged to lead his country and gain international acceptance.


Crookall’s CV




  • 2007-present: HR manager, Halliwells


  • 2003-2007: Senior business partner, Highways Agency, Manchester


  • 2000-2002: Executive consultant, KPMG, London


  • 1999-2000: Interim HR consultant, Prudential Assurance, London


  • 1989-1999: Head of HR team, LIFFE, London


  • 1983-1989: Senior industrial relations adviser, Acas, London

Avatar
Personnel Today

previous post
Sailor’s unfair dismissal case falls within UK jurisdiction, rules court
next post
How I made a difference: Linda Scott HR director, British Transport Police

You may also like

One in five employers planning ‘no jab no...

19 May 2022

MP demands timeline on carer’s leave legislation

13 May 2022

Queen’s Speech: absence of employment bill leaves organisations...

10 May 2022

Queen’s Speech: Exclusivity contracts for low-paid workers to...

9 May 2022

MP seeks legal protections for employees undergoing fertility...

9 May 2022

PwC staff to benefit from extended summer hours...

5 May 2022

A dark day for workers’ rights – why...

29 Apr 2022

P&O Ferries told to return £11m furlough money...

28 Apr 2022

Modern slavery: 10% of companies fail to publish...

26 Apr 2022

EHRC’s legal fund for tackling race discrimination: what...

21 Apr 2022
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...Read more
  • What it really means to be mentally fit PROMOTED | What is mental fitness...Read more
  • How music can help to ease anxiety at work PROMOTED | A lot has happened since March 2020, hasn’t it?...Read more
  • Why now is the time to plug the unhealthy gap PROMOTED | We’ve all heard the term ‘health is wealth’...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • Maternity & Paternity
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+