Employment - Employer
If you have an employment query or need help and advice in defending a claim, you can either telephone or email us on 01325 28 11 11 or at enquiries@clarkwillis.co.uk
Our Employment lawyers will provide you with legal advice and practical assistance on any employment related matter you may have.
Our Employment Lawyers are:
1. Mr Peter Furness
2. Miss Sarah Leighton
Funding
Many clients are concerned about the cost implications of instructing a solicitor. We can often agree to deal with a claim on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis. We will discuss the funding options with you, to enable you to choose the type of funding most suitable and beneficial to you and your circumstances. The funding options available, include
* No Win No Fee
* Legal Expenses
* Fixed fee
* Hourly rate
Employees have the benefit of a wealth of laws to protect and govern their employment. As an employer it is all too easy to fall foul of employment law. Even the best of employers will find themselves involved in an employment dispute at some point.
At Clark Willis we are able to provide assistance and advice in both contentious and non-contentious areas of employment law, with a view to ensuring that disputes do not arise. By taking time to consider company policies and procedures it likely that many potential disputes and tribunal claims can be avoided. The services we offer include providing advice and assistance in the following areas and drafting legal documentation in connection with:
1. Drafting employment contracts and particulars of employment
2. Advising and drafting severance packages
3. Redundancy
4. Discrimination
5. Bulling, harassment and victimisation in the work place
6. Defending Tribunal claims
Drafting employment contracts and particulars of employment
By law, employers are required to provide their employees with a written statement of particulars of employment within two months of the employee starting employment. There are legal requirements as to what must be contained in a statement of particulars, as a minimum. In some cases you may wish to provide a more detailed contract of employment, for example, to protect trade secrets. There are many factors to consider when preparing contracts of employment and we are able to advise you and draft appropriate contracts tailored to your needs. We can advise on maternity and paternity leave, TUPE and other rights which provide protection to employees.
Severance Packages
When terminating an employee’s contract, you as the employer may want surety that the employee will not pursue a claim against you in the employment tribunal or the civil courts. By entering into a ‘compromise agreement’ with your employee you can come to a legally binding agreement with the employee. A properly drafted agreement will prevent the employee from pursuing a claim against you.
Redundancy
Unfortunately it may sometimes be necessary for an employer to make redundancies. The procedures involved in making a lawful redundancy are onerous and require an employer to take various steps. Failure to do so will entitle the employee to claim unfair dismissal. At Clark Willis we can advise you how to legally conduct the redundancy process, starting with the initial consultation period all the way through to calculating redundancy payments and severance agreements.
Discrimination
New discrimination laws came into force on 1st October 2006. It is vital for employers to have procedures in place to ensure that no employee is discriminated against. Discrimination can be on grounds such as age, race, gender and sexual orientation. An employee who has been unlawfully discriminated against can potentially receive an unlimited level of compensation. Discrimination can occur from the application and interview stages right up until the termination of an employee’s employment. Clark Willis can advise you on mechanisms which can be utilised to avoid potential discrimination claims by your employee.
Defending Tribunal Claims
Even the best of employers can find themselves defending a tribunal claim. At Clark Willis we can advise you on the relevant law and discuss with you the best possible strategies and tactics for defending such a claim.
There are strict time limits imposed for defending an employment claim. Therefore you should contact us as soon as possible after receiving notice of a potential claim.
Contact us
If you have an employment query or need help and advice in defending a claim, telephone our Employment Team on 01325 74 56 92 or contact us by email at enquiries@clarkwillis.co.uk
