Employment

Additional Services

There are certain key stages in the life-cycle of an organisation at which you will need our Employment Department's services, including:

Recruiting

It is important not only to be an equal opportunities employer, but to be seen to be. We can help you in this difficult area and advise you on issues such as spent convictionsand compliance with anti discrimination registration.

Contracts and Policies and Procedures

Good employment contracts should be the corner-stone of your organisation; not merely to be legally compliant, but to help you manage staff effectively. They are vital to protect the valuable assets of your business including your existing staff, client contacts, goodwill, intellectual and other property. We can provide cost-effective employment contracts and comprehensive policies and procedures - see our Contracts and Policy Update Service.

Starting a Family

We can advise you not only on basic maternity pay provisions, but health and safety assessments, redundancy during maternity leave and flexible working after maternity leave. We can also advise on the statutory entitlement to paternity and adoptive parent leave and pay, parental leave, the right to request flexible working and unpaid time off for family emergencies.

Managing Sickness Absence

What do you do if an employee takes persistent short-term sickness absence; a day here, a Friday there, but overall giving you a major headache? Whether it's short or long term sickness, we can advise you on how to manage the situation lawfully, and ultimately dismiss the employee fairly if the problem continues.

Under-Performance

Despite trying, some employees may find it hard to do their job to the minimum standard you require. We can help you manage this situation, either to achieve the improvement required, or to bring their employment to an end fairly.

Discipline

Many Tribunals make findings of unfair dismissal simply because employers have made basic procedural mistakes disciplining staff. We will advise you on disciplining fairly. Remember, it can be fair ultimately to dismiss for relatively minor but persistent transgressions such as turning up late, if you follow a fair procedure.

Grievance

Many employers are automatically defensive when an employee raises a grievance. This is a mistake. Failure to deal with grievances properly can result in discrimination and constructive dismissal claims or stress-related sickness. We can help you get it right.

Expansion by acquisition

If you decide to purchase another business, or to tender for services outsourced from (say) a local authority, you will have to deal with a series of employment issues, not least of which will be the 'TUPE' Regulations on transferring employees. We will work closely with you and our Company Commercial Department to manage your expansion effectively.

Redundancy and Severance

Sadly, most organisations will need to make redundancies or offer severance sooner or later. Though a common situation, employers often get it wrong. We will help you manage the process efficiently and fairly, minimising the risk of Tribunal claims.

For our concise, practical and free weekly commercial and employment law news by email, call our Employment Department
on 020 7288 4700 or contact us by email employment@boltburdon.co.uk