TOP 5 Types of Employment Law Support SMEs Need
From contracts to employment tribunals, running a business can feel like a minefield when it comes to legal compliance. If your company is facing an employment law issue, or if you’d like to get ahead before an issue arises, an employment law solicitor can help you to navigate the legal aspects of your business with confidence.
Read on to learn about the top 5 areas of employment law support your SME could benefit from, helping you to operate with confidence and freeing up your precious time, enabling you to focus on what your company does best.
TOP 5 areas of employment law support for SMEs
Employment Tribunals
Grievances, disciplinary action, or unfair pay allegations which fail to be resolved by informal dialogue or formal intervention may lead to employment tribunal claims. To avoid employment issues escalating to this extent, an employment solicitor can assist employers and HR professionals with following the correct procedures set out by ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service).
Whilst procedures are clearly set out in the ACAS code, appointing an employment law solicitor to ensure you manage the claim process effectively is a highly sensible safeguard. Employment tribunals can be costly, lengthy and, most importantly, harm your company’s reputation, making investing in professional legal advice to avoid a tribunal claim a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Harassment and Bullying
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from harassment, meaning any behaviour that makes a person feel intimidated or offended such as spreading malicious rumours, unfair treatment, regularly undermining someone, or denying someone training or promotion opportunities.
Employers should take complaints of harassment and bullying extremely seriously and should investigate the complaint with immediate effect, following a full, fair procedure, which an employment solicitor can help you with navigating. It is important the employee feels heard and respected throughout the process, as if they are unhappy with the way their complaint is handled, they could make an employment tribunal claim. An employment solicitor can assist you with de-escalating the situation to avoid this or, if it comes to it, represent you at an employment tribunal.
Restructuring
Businesses must be able to adapt quickly and shift the balance and focus of their resources as needed to remain agile during changing market conditions. To remain congruent with this, businesses often find that restructuring becomes a necessity.
Businesses that are planning to or considering a restructure must carefully consider the implications on its workforce, as well as the associated financial and reputational risks. Beyond this, restructuring can affect people’s lives and livelihoods, making sensitivity of the utmost importance.
Employment solicitors can advise on and assist with navigating the employment law aspects of the entire restructuring process, from start to finish. For expert insight and practical, consultative advice on the consultation process, TUPE transfers, collective redundancies and more, an employment law solicitor can be an invaluable resource when undergoing a restructuring to ensure your company achieves the best outcome.
Family Rights
Employees have several family rights identified in UK law such as maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, shared parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and the right to time-off for family, childcare, and dependent emergencies. Employment legislation governs the relationship between employers and employees and is designed to provide reassurance to both parties.
Employment law is particularly detailed in the area of family rights where it defines the rights and obligations of each party. Whilst obligations are outlined in law, employers should develop policies for their staff handbook that explain their family friendly policies and the extent of any specific entitlements.
An employment law solicitor can help you to understand family rights laws and their application in the workplace and assist you in making decisions for your business that involve family rights.
Contracts and Handbooks
An employment contract is a legally binding agreement between the employee and the employer setting out the implied and explicit terms and conditions of the employment. It can be agreed both verbally and in writing. On the other hand, an employee handbook is a comprehensive document created by the employer setting out the company’s policies, procedures, and expectations to its employees.
Employment contracts and handbooks are critically important as they ensure that both the employee and employer have a clear understanding of what is expected and obligated during the term of employment. Drawing up clear, unequivocal documents will help to preserve your relationship with your employees and avoid any disputes arising relating to the contents of either document.
An employment law solicitor can provide expert support for all your employment law needs related to contracts and handbooks. Whatever your specific needs, an employment solicitor can help you with navigating the complexities of employment law with confidence.
How to Get Started
If you’re looking for employment law advice and support, 365 Employment Law will work with you every step of the way to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.
We have a wealth of experience advising employers across Sussex in all aspects of employment law. Based out of our office in Worthing, West Sussex, we support employers in a range of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. Contact our friendly team today for an informal conversation about the needs of your business.
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