Employment Law

As early as possible. The most common cause of successful employment claims is not that an employer acted without reason, but that the process followed was flawed. We can guide you through every step of a disciplinary or grievance process, and involving us early makes it far less likely that procedural errors will put your business at risk.

If an employee has behaved in a way that you think may amount to gross misconduct, we advise on whether dismissal is justified and on the proper process to follow, which must be completed even in the most serious cases.

Yes. All employees must receive a written statement of their employment terms no later than their first day. This is a legal requirement, and many businesses have contracts in place that haven’t been reviewed for some time. Contracts that are out of date may not give your business the protection it needs.

A well-drafted staff handbook sets out how your business approaches key matters such as misconduct, absence and performance. Together, your contracts and handbook form the foundation of your legal relationship with your staff. We draft and review both.

Contact us before you speak to any affected staff. The process for making redundancies varies depending on the number of employees involved and the roles they perform. Getting it wrong can lead to unfair dismissal claims, even where your reasons for the redundancy are sound. We advise on the correct process to follow at every stage.

Settlement agreements are often used when employment ends, whether through redundancy or other circumstances. By signing a settlement agreement, an employee agrees not to bring claims against the business, typically in exchange for a financial payment. We advise on when a settlement agreement is appropriate and prepare all the documentation.

Fosters HR is our fixed-fee employment law service for businesses that want accessible, day-to-day employment support without unpredictable legal costs. We agree a monthly budget with you based on the level of support your business is likely to need. Once set up, you can call, email or meet with our employment team whenever a question arises, at no additional cost.

It’s designed for businesses that need regular employment advice but find the cost of instructing solicitors on an ad-hoc basis difficult to manage. Many businesses use Fosters HR for everyday queries and call on us for more complex matters when they arise.