If you’re an employer or HR professional, you’ll know that employment law can be a tricky and complex area. We’re here to help and advise you on all legal matters in the workplace. If you have a problem relating to your workforce, we can start helping straight away. You’ll get free, no-obligation advice on an initial phone call. We can help you with:

Resolving disciplinary and grievance issues

ACAS sets out clear processes for dealing with problems with working relationships both from the employer’s and the employee’s view point. The ACAS code sets out steps an employer should take when tackling misconduct and/or poor performance. We’ll explain your responsibilities and can advise on disciplinary procedures in the workplace, so that your employees understand what is expected of their performance and conduct. We can advise on the best way to manage poor performance, the grounds for taking disciplinary action and we can support you at a disciplinary hearing or appeal. In cases which progress to dismissal, we’ll help you to ensure you follow a fair process.

Preparing and advising on employment contracts and related paperwork

We can draft Employment Contracts, including advice on bonuses, flexible working, holidays, notice and restrictive covenants.

Discrimination claims

Discrimination claims can be very damaging for any business and can lead to business disruption, loss of reputation and stressful, costly litigation.

Our employment law specialists can:

• help you to comply with discrimination laws under the Equality Act 2010
• guide you through complaints and resolution processes
• help you settle a case before a Tribunal claim is made
• draft a detailed settlement agreement which will waive an employee’s right to start a claim once settlement has been agreed
• advise you on Employment Tribunal proceedings
• help you to build you a robust defence strategy

Unfair dismissal and redundancy claims

For a dismissal to be fair, there must be a fair reason to dismiss an employee (such as redundancy, capability or conduct) as well as a fair procedure. We will check that the reasons behind a potential dismissal are permitted and we can also check that company policies and procedures are up to date, to ensure you follow a fair process. 

Where an employee does not have sufficient service to bring an unfair dismissal claim, they could still claim wrongful dismissal. We can ensure you don’t breach the terms of your employee’s contract or fall foul of the law relating to wrongful dismissal.

The laws on unfair dismissal are complex so it pays to take expert legal advice before dismissal takes place. We’ve here to guide you through the process, ensure you follow a fair process and protect your business.

Negotiating settlement agreements

We can draft detailed settlement agreements which waive employees’ rights to start a claim once settlement has been agreed.

For more information, or to discuss your case, please contact our employment law specialists in Halifax, Maureen Cawthorn or James Hodgson on 01422 339600.