Business Employment Law & HR Solicitors Manchester

Employment law and Human Resource (HR) disputes are typically complex, and may be costly to resolve. In some situations, employers may not be aware they’ve violated the law or done anything wrong.

At Farleys, we understand the stress and pressures employers face when these types of disputes arise. That’s why we offer a range of solutions, including preventative, to help you mitigate these situations right from the initial offer of employment

We offer our clients ongoing advice, support, and guidance on all matters relating to employment law and HR, and our highly skilled solicitors have a wealth of knowledge and experience dealing with employment disputes on behalf of businesses all across the UK.

Contracts of Employment, Policies & Procedures

A contract of employment is often the only legally binding documentation that exists between an employer and employee.

Although employment contracts are not required under employment law when an employee commences work, it’s always better to have some type of written terms and conditions. This can help keep the relationship fair and honest on both sides.

We’ll provide you with the legal advice you need to draft comprehensive employment contracts to protect your business. We can help you with staff and employee handbooks, directors’ services agreements, restrictive covenants, confidential agreements, and variations to employment contracts.

At Farleys, you can have peace of mind knowing that we’re looking out for your business with an employment contract drafted by our employment law team. Each contract is highly comprehensive, and takes into account any action – or future action – that an employee might consider.

Disciplinaries

Drafting fair and correct disciplinary procedures can help protect businesses like yours against employment disputes. A set of clear procedures sets minimum standards for attendance, performance, and conduct for your employees.

Disputes can be brought up for any number of reasons, but having clear rules can help mitigate claims for unfair dismissal, constructive unfair dismissal, harassment or bullying made against you.

We recommend you define a clear disciplinary procedure and standards in an employee handbook. This way you can outline what you consider minor and gross acts of misconduct, any of which could result in disciplinary action.

And if you ever need help or legal advice on how to handle or draft fair and correct disciplinary procedures, get in touch with us right away.

Employee Exits

An employee exit can happen for any number of reasons, so as an employer, you’ll need to ensure you have processes in place to deal with them. This includes departures resulting from misconduct, disciplinary matters, poor performance, ill-health, retirement, the restructuring of a business, or redundancy.

In some situations, arranging for employees to exit the business may seem like the only viable option available to you. However, before you do, we always recommend first consulting with a HR & employment law specialist.

Employee exits can present complex legal situations, at Farleys Solicitors, we can give you expert legal guidance in the following areas:

• Settlement agreements and termination packages
• Director, shareholder and senior employee exits
• Disciplinary procedures and related issues
• Dismissals
• Redundancies
• Advice around unfair dismissal
• Absences
• Managing performance and capability
• Misconduct issues

Depending on what’s required for each individual case, our services may include drafting letters, documents, minutes of meetings, reports, and we can offer ongoing guidance to assist you. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that any transition for your business runs as smooth and seamless as possible.

Farleys HR Advantage

Farleys HR Advantage is the only HR support service you’ll ever need.

We can provide your business with a fixed-cost and bespoke commercial HR and employment law support service. Our services are tailored specifically to meet your individual needs and requirements.

Our flexible approach puts you in control, and allows you to have as much or as little HR support as you need – with a monthly payable and fixed-cost annual package. We can give advice and support over the phone and face-to-face when required.

Given the extensive experience and knowledge that our team possess, we can adopt a proactive approach for HR and employment law issues. This allows us to help minimise the disruptive effect that HR matters can have on business, and can reduce the risk of employment dispute claims. We also take care to stay up to date with all of the ins and outs of employment law, so you don’t have to!

Grievance Procedures & Advice

A grievance is a complaint or concern that is raised by a worker to their employer.

The law requires employers to investigate grievances fairly, promptly, and in accordance with the guidance set out in the Acas Code of Practice.

Grievances can cover a variety of concerns, but often relate to:

• Working conditions
• Bullying and harassment
• Changes to terms and conditions of employment

Dealing with grievances can be time consuming and stressful for business owners and their senior managers.

The law surrounding grievances is complex, and failure to follow the correct procedures can result in further issues for the business. Farleys’ employment law solicitors can provide you with straightforward legal advice relating to grievance procedures. This will help free up the time for you and your management team to get other things done.

HR & Employee Management

Human Resource (HR) matters can be time consuming, stressful, and difficult to manage. This is further compounded by constant evolutions within employment law legislation.

This is why we provide employers with our HR advisory support services. Our services give you expert advice and guidance on all employee and worker related matters. We’ll also help ensure any changes in law are accurately and effectively reflected in your business practices.

This enables you can get back to managing a productive team and leave us to handle HR issues like grievances, unsatisfactory performance, sickness absence, and other things impacting your business.

We offer expert legal advice on all areas including the following:

• Absences
• Managing performance and capability
• Redundancy
• Misconduct issues
• Dismissals
• Disciplinary procedures and related issues
• Grievances
• Harassment and bullying
• Workplace discrimination and the Equality Act
• Variations to employment contracts
• Settlement agreements and termination packages
• Unfair dismissal advice
• Breach of contract
• Maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave guidance and support
• HR and employment law training
• Farleys HR Advantage

Redundancy

Redundancy is often a difficult subject for employers to discuss.

However, if you are considering making an employee or employees redundant, or in the process of doing so, we recommend you contact a redundancy solicitor immediately. Their specialist knowledge can be extremely useful in helping to ensure that you can manage the process seamlessly – and will probably save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.

Farleys Solicitors can provide an assessment, strategic planning and continued advice and support with the whole redundancy process, from start to finish. Our experts can help limit the risk of grievances and Employment Tribunal claims, including ones relating to redundancy.

The most common types of claims we deal with relating to redundancy include unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, discrimination, and breach of contract.

Our specialist redundancy solicitors can draw upon their vast expertise to advise you on the best course of action, in line with your specific commercial objectives.

Please visit our page for more information on the redundancy process for employers.

Settlement Agreements & Termination Packages

Settlement agreements and termination packages are a legally binding agreement between an employer and a departing employee.

These types of agreements are essential to limiting employment liabilities and protecting against any future claims.

We recommend you seek expert advice or assistance from an employment law firm like Farleys before you take action. Our experts will ensure the settlement agreement or termination package you present is legally drafted, legally binding, and adheres to statutory requirements.

We’re highly experienced in handling both single employee and large group employee settlement agreements and termination packages. Give us a call on 0845 050 1958 to see how we can help you!

TUPE Business Transfers

When a business is sold, either whole or in part, or in situations where there is a service provision change, two specific legal regulations will apply.

The first is called the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 or “TUPE”. The second is the Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulation 2014.

By virtue of TUPE and the amendment, the existing employees of a business will transfer to a new employer, remaining protected under the terms and conditions of their previous employment contract. There are also various timely and complex obligations, both old and new, that former and incoming employers will have to account for.

Given that TUPE is a notoriously complex area of law, we recommend you contact us right away on 0845 050 1958 to see how we can help.

Why choose us?

At Farleys we’ll be with you every step of the way, providing advice and services to help you through any area in employment law your business requires. Our experts can help by drafting employment contracts to help mitigate losses from dismissals, redundancy, and discrimination claims. We can also represent you at an Employment Tribunal, or help you to negotiate a settlement with an employee.

We provide our clients with legal advice, as well as friendly and straight-talking legal services – all at a fair cost. You can rely on us to keep you informed of any changes throughout the process.

If you need to speak with one of our specialist solicitors in Manchester about any of our employment dispute services, feel free to give us a call on 0845 050 1958, send us an email, or visit our offices.

We have several conveniently located offices across the North West in Manchester, Blackburn, Preston, Accrington, and Burnley.