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Employment
Introduction
Ashfords' Employment Team is known for its pragmatic, rigorous and commercial advice to employers in both the private and public sectors. The size of our team means that we can support clients wherever and whenever help is needed. Clients tell us that they value our approachability and willingness to understand their businesses and objectives.
Our solicitors have considerable experience of supporting clients through all aspects of employment practice, including the preparation of Contracts and Handbooks, the TUPE implications on the sale of businesses and the management of litigation in Courts and Employment Tribunals.
We also provide focussed in-house training to clients on legal issues and the ways of avoiding Tribunal litigation.
Work handled includes:
- Contracts and Terms and Conditions of Employment
- Tax and employee incentives
- Handbooks Policies and Procedures
- Maternity issues and family friendly policies
- Minimum wage
- Working time
- Restructures and redundancy
- Trade Union recognition and Industrial disputes
- Grievance, disciplinary and capability procedures
- Severance packages
- Post-termination restrictions
- All employment aspects of business and company sales including TUPE and the negations of warranties and indemnities.
- Litigation and advocacy, including:
- Unfair dismissal
- Wrongful dismissal and breach of contract
- Discrimination issues of all types including harassment and bullying
- Equal pay
- Whistle blowing
- Employing Foreign Workers - Work Permits
- Intellectual property
- Data Protection
The Employment Scheme and The Advice Line
We have developed fixed-fee solutions to employment law support. Our Advice Line, which is suitable for smaller businesses, provides you with a standard Employment Contract and Handbook, and a helpline covering one call for each new enquiry. The Employment Scheme provides more comprehensive support, offering members more tailored employment documents, full telephone and E-Mail support (including the preparation of documents), access to employment stationery and the possibility of insuring against Tribunal claims. For further information about these schemes, please contact any of the Partners in the team.
Recent work undertaken includes:
- Defence of several high-profile Unfair Dismissal and Discrimination claims brought against a significant public sector client.
- Advising three local authorities (including a large unitary authority) on their obligations under single status to eliminate discrimination in pay. Our Advice included assessments of the potential liability for Equal Pay claims, guidance on drafting and negotiating related collective agreements with Trade Unions, and strategic advice
- Successful defence of a significant claim for unpaid holiday pay for a private sector employee.
- Successful prosecution and defence of a large number of restrictive covenant disputes
- Advice and guidance on all aspects of the new TUPE regulations arising out of the sale of various businesses.
Would you like to receive free legal updates by e-mail?
Our service for providing up-to-date summaries of caselaw and legislative developments on a regular basis is now on-line. To Email Updates
What others say about us
"Information flows quickly and smoothly" out of this team, and clients highlight the "efficient and user-friendly" lawyers for their training and advocacy expertise in TUPE and age discrimination laws.
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2008 Edition
"Ashfords has been superb in every way, giving us tremendous support and first-rate advice." A "cracking good commercial arm" provides the team with a "client base to die for."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2007 Edition
Rhiain Lewis is a "safe pair of hands".
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2006 Edition
Rhiain Lewis receives plaudits for her 'calm and effective' handling of restructuring and redundancy work for private and public sector clients.
Legal 500 2005 Edition
