Employment law advice for employees

Have you been put in an impossible position, made redundant, unfairly dismissed or been asked to sign a settlement agreement (these used to be known as compromise agreements) by your employer?

Feeling uncertain about your future can be very stressful. We can advise and explain, in straightforward English, what your rights are and how you can use them to your advantage. We specialise in giving sensible, timely, practical advice so you can choose the best course of action going forward.

Our employment team can apply their expert knowledge, skills and experience to help resolve the specific issues which you are facing and provide as much or as little help as you require. We recognise that there are various complexities in any employment situation and will analyse the issues and make suitable recommendations to you. Dependent upon the situation, options can involve legal processes or a solution designed to avoid legal conflict, for example mediation.

If you are considering bringing an employment tribunal claim we have many years of experience in this area. Read our page about how much it would cost to bring an employment tribunal claim and how long it will take. 

There are usually several routes to finding a solution and our team prefer to explore these with you before choosing a way forward.  We aim to ensure that you are comfortable with any specific course of action and that it is the best option to achieve your objectives. If we feel that your objectives are unobtainable we will say so.

Discrimination at work
The Equality Act 2010, was designed to pull together the various strands of discrimination law and to strengthen the equality law that applies to employment as well as access to everyday services and access to goods. Being discriminated against can be a very distressing experience and can have a big impact on your well-being

Employment contracts advice and non-competition clauses
Your employment contract is an important document which underpins your working relationship with your employer. Our employment contract solicitors are happy to advise you in connection with any aspect of your contract, including advice on interpreting the contents of any contract you are offered, or looking at and advising you on particular clauses if a dispute has, or is about to, arise.

You may have restrictive covenants or non-competition clauses in your contract, which restrict what you can do after your employment has ended. Our team is experienced at advising you on the enforceability of those clauses, which depends on the reasonableness of the restrictions, and can fully outline the various options to you.

Employment tribunal cases
Employment tribunals are there to determine disputes between employers and employees and adjudicate when no agreement can be reached. Sometimes, a claim to an Employment Tribunal is inevitable.

Our employment tribunal solicitors are experienced at bringing claims in the employment tribunal, from the initial drafting of the claim form, witness evidence and settlement (remedies). We are frequently instructed to pursue claims for wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal (including redundancy), constructive dismissal, discrimination, whistle-blowing, breach of contract, holiday pay, arrears of wages.

Restructures and redundancy
Many employers, at one point or another, will consider changing the structure of their business or their workforce. Being at risk of redundancy can be a deeply unsettling and stressful experience for many people but our experienced team will work hard to ensure that you are fully aware of your rights throughout the process.

Settlement agreements
A settlement agreement (formerly compromise agreement) can be an extremely useful tool when an employment relationship comes to an end, with advantages for employers and employees alike. Such an agreement usually sees an employee receiving a severance sum that might not otherwise be payable, in exchange for which the employee “settles” (or gives up) his or her rights to bring any claim arising out of the employment or its termination.

The cost will usually be met in full or in part by your employer.

TUPE
When a business changes hands it can often be a time of great uncertainty and worry for employees. The same applies where a business gains or loses a big contract.

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations were introduced to provide some security for employees in those circumstances. However, the regulations are complicated and it is often difficult to see whether or how they apply to your situation.

Unfair dismissal
Losing your job, under any circumstances, can be a very distressing experience. However, if you feel that your dismissal was unfair, unjustified or handled badly, or that you have not received proper notice of your dismissal, it can add to the stress and worry involved.

When considering any dismissal claim, it is essential to remember that very tight time limits apply to Employment Tribunal claims so it is extremely important that timely advice is sought at an early stage to avoid being out of time to pursue your potential claims.

Next steps
Contact us by telephone on 01843 234000 or by using the form on this page and we will quickly help you know where you stand and explain how you can protect your position. We are flexible and accommodating, so if you have any special requirements for meeting your solicitor please mention them to us.