Employment, Labour & Pensions

 

Table of Contents

1. Employment & Labour Law Advice
2. Advice for Employers
3. Employment Contracts & Workplace Policies
4. Dismissal, Redundancy & Restructuring
5. Discrimination & Workplace Rights
6. Grievances, Disciplinary Matters & Investigations
7. Settlement Agreements & Negotiations
8. Employment Tribunal Disputes
9. Senior Executives & Employees
10. International & Cross-Border Employment
11. Pensions
12. How We Can Help

1. Employment & Labour Law Advice

Employment law affects almost every stage of the relationship between an organisation and its workforce.

We advise from recruitment and preparation of employment terms through to workplace disputes, termination and post-employment restrictions.

Our work includes both advisory and contentious matters. This means we can help clients manage an employment issue before a dispute develops and represent them where proceedings or formal negotiations become necessary.

We advise on matters including:

• employment contracts and service agreements;
• workplace policies and procedures;
• recruitment and termination;
• disciplinary and grievance procedures;
• workplace investigations;
• redundancy and restructuring;
• discrimination and equality issues;
• whistleblowing;
• settlement agreements;
• restrictive covenants and confidentiality;
• Employment Tribunal proceedings; and
• cross-border employment issues.

2. Advice for Employers

Employment problems can become expensive when businesses address them too late.

We work with employers on both individual employment matters and wider workforce issues, helping them understand their legal position and make commercially sensible decisions.

This can include advising management before a dismissal, reviewing a proposed restructuring, dealing with an employee grievance, investigating allegations of misconduct or negotiating an exit.

Where a dispute has already developed, we assess the legal and commercial risks and advise on the available options, including negotiation, settlement and Employment Tribunal proceedings.

3. Employment Contracts & Workplace Policies

Clear employment documentation can reduce uncertainty and help prevent disputes.

We advise on employment contracts, directors’ service agreements, consultancy arrangements and workplace policies.

We can also advise on provisions dealing with confidentiality, intellectual property, bonuses, commission, notice periods and post-termination restrictions.

For businesses developing or changing their workforce, we can review existing documentation and identify provisions that may no longer reflect how the organisation operates.

4. Dismissal, Redundancy & Restructuring

Ending an employment relationship can create significant legal risk.

We advise employers on dismissals, redundancy exercises, capability and performance issues and workforce restructuring.

Depending on the circumstances, this may involve questions about fair procedure, consultation, selection criteria, notice, contractual entitlements and potential claims.

We also advise employees and senior executives who are facing dismissal, redundancy or proposed changes to their employment.

Early advice can be particularly important because decisions made during the process may later become central to an Employment Tribunal claim.

5. Discrimination & Workplace Rights

Workplace discrimination disputes can involve complex factual and legal questions.

We advise on allegations concerning discrimination, harassment and victimisation, as well as other statutory workplace rights.

We also advise employers responding to complaints and employees who believe that unlawful treatment has occurred.

These matters require careful consideration of the evidence, the employer’s procedures and the circumstances surrounding the alleged conduct.

6. Grievances, Disciplinary Matters & Investigations

Workplace complaints should be addressed carefully and consistently.

We advise on grievance and disciplinary procedures, allegations of misconduct and workplace investigations.

For employers, this can include advice on the appropriate procedure, investigation process, evidence, hearings and potential outcomes.

For employees and executives, we can advise on responding to allegations, raising grievances and protecting their position during an internal process.

Where the internal dispute may lead to litigation, we also consider how decisions and communications made during the process could affect subsequent proceedings.

7. Settlement Agreements & Negotiations

Not every employment dispute needs to result in litigation.

A settlement agreement can provide a structured way for an employer and employee to resolve a dispute or bring the employment relationship to an agreed end.

We advise employers on preparing and negotiating settlement terms and employees on agreements they have been asked to sign.

Negotiations may involve more than compensation. Notice pay, bonuses, commission, references, confidentiality, restrictive covenants, termination dates and legal costs can all be relevant.

For employees, independent legal advice is also an important statutory requirement where the agreement is intended to waive relevant employment claims.

8. Employment Tribunal Disputes

Where a dispute cannot be resolved, we advise on Employment Tribunal proceedings.

Claims may concern matters such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, wages or other employment rights.

We advise on the dispute from an early assessment of the merits and potential exposure through to pleadings, evidence, settlement negotiations and hearings.

For employers, early assessment can help determine whether a claim should be defended, negotiated or resolved commercially.

For employees, it is equally important to understand the legal basis of the claim, the available evidence and the realistic remedies before committing to proceedings.

9. Senior Executives & Employees

Employment disputes involving directors and senior executives can raise issues beyond an ordinary termination of employment.

Remuneration, bonuses, share arrangements, fiduciary duties, confidentiality, restrictive covenants and reputational considerations may all affect the strategy.

We advise senior employees on proposed exits, settlement negotiations, contractual disputes and post-termination restrictions.

We also advise businesses when managing the departure of senior personnel and protecting confidential information and legitimate business interests.

10. International & Cross-Border Employment

Employment relationships increasingly cross national borders.

An employee may work in one country for a business headquartered in another. Senior personnel may move between group companies, or a dispute may involve contracts, assets, evidence or management located in several jurisdictions.

LawLex Solicitors advises on the English law aspects of international employment matters and can coordinate with appropriately qualified local lawyers through LawLex Global where advice on another country’s law is required.

This can be particularly useful for international businesses that want a coordinated approach to workforce issues involving more than one jurisdiction.

11. Pensions

Pension arrangements can form part of wider employment and workforce matters, particularly in connection with remuneration, termination, restructuring and business change.

Where a matter requires specialist pensions, regulatory, tax or foreign-law advice, we can work with appropriately qualified professionals as required.

12. How We Can Help

Employment disputes are often easier to manage when legal advice is obtained before positions become fixed.

LawLex Solicitors can advise on a specific employment problem, review the legal risks surrounding a proposed decision or represent you where a dispute has already developed.

We act for businesses, employers, executives and individuals and combine employment advice with our wider experience in commercial disputes and cross-border matters.

If your matter involves more than one jurisdiction, our position within LawLex Global also allows us to coordinate with member and affiliated lawyers where local advice is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you advise employers as well as employees?

Yes. We advise businesses and employers as well as employees and senior executives. The nature of the advice will depend on the circumstances and any conflict of interest.

Can you advise before an employee is dismissed?

Yes. Obtaining advice before making a final decision can help an employer understand the appropriate procedure and potential legal risks.

Do you deal with settlement agreements?

Yes. We advise employees who have received settlement agreements and employers proposing or negotiating settlement terms.

Can you represent clients in the Employment Tribunal?

Yes. We advise and represent clients in employment disputes, including Employment Tribunal proceedings.

Can you help with an employment matter involving another country?

Yes. We can advise on the English law aspects of cross-border employment matters and coordinate with appropriately qualified lawyers in other jurisdictions where local legal advice is required.