Employment law moves quickly!
Employers and employees alike demonstrate a desire to understand more about their rights and obligations. Our offices in Covent Garden are accessible whether your business or base is in or out of town. The following information explains the areas of employment law where we can be of assistance.
Employers
Our services are retained by small and medium-sized businesses that seek straight-forward, practical and cost-effective solutions to their problems.
We advise about day-to-day issues such as recruitment and retention, contract and policy drafting, responsible behaviour at work, and disciplinary and dismissal. On occasion you may require help urgently - that is when you will appreciate ready access to us to discuss the options.
If you require, we can spend time at your offices with those responsible for HR, and so that your exposure to risk is minimized, we can alert you to the impending legislation and latest developments from the courts.
Our collaboration with business aims to minimize disputes. However there are occasions when a matter goes to the tribunal and you will have to serve your defence to preserve your position - you will not have much time to act and it is essential that you seek appropriate advice in the early stages.
Our hourly rates are competitive. We also operate a retainer scheme. If you would like to test the water, we would be pleased to meet with you for a free consultation on a no-commitment basis.
Some of the area of expertise we offer employers:
- drafting contracts of employment
- changes in terms and conditions
- dismissals
- compromise agreements
- negotiating a settlement for any changes
- service agreements
- representing you at a tribunal hearing
Employees
If you are entering into a new employment relationship, then giving prior consideration to proposed conditions and executive schemes is worthwhile. It may provide you with the basis for negotiating better terms! During employment your employer may approach you to vary the contract - if this happens you have legal options.
We are routinely instructed by employees and workers who seek assistance about something that is happening in the workplace. You may want to know more about your rights (to do with a reorganization or TUPE transfer, for instance) or you may be coping with the unreasonable behaviour of colleagues. We can help you manage your way through an incident or problem at work to a satisfactory resolution.
Sometimes relationships do breakdown and you may want to investigate the alternatives. We can help you understand the relevant law, whether litigation is a viable option and what a tribunal action entails. It is important that you have all the pertinent information before you.
If a termination offer is put on the table it is usual to enter into a Compromise Agreement. Before accepting such an offer, you will want to carefully consider it to ensure you have been adequately compensated and to fully understand your contractual obligations. We can advise you on these matters and negotiate with your employer to maximize your protection under the agreement.
We provide 30 minutes' free advice when you instruct us. We would also be happy to provide a short response to your enquiry.
If you are experiencing problems at work, or if you are not clear about your legal rights, then our Employment department may be able to assist you in the following:
- discrimination of sex, race & disability
- unfair or wrongful dismissal
- employee representation at tribunals
- holiday/long hours/sick pay rights
- minimum wage
- redundancy
Please see employment law FAQs for further information.
Employment Law Enquiry
Employees or employers, please complete this brief form and we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your case:
Employment Law
These are some of the areas of law that we can advise you about:
- terms and conditions of employment
- service agreements for senior personnel
- policies and procedures
- disciplinary and dismissal
- grievance
- discrimination (on ground of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, part-time working, fixed term working)
- transfer of business (TUPE)
- dismissal - the law on unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal
- termination arrangements
- tribunal proceedings
Employment Law Links
Some useful web links relating to employment law:
- ACAS - Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service
- Commission for Racial Equality
- Companies House
- Disability Rights Commission
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Equal Opportunities Commission
- Financial Services Authority
- Health & Safety Executive
- HM Revenue & Custom
- Institute of Directors
- Office of Fair Trading
- Office of the Information Commissioner
- The Pensions Regulator
