Employment

Ashfords’ Employment Team has considerable experience of representing schools in connection with a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues. Recognised as one of the leading teams in the South West, and described as “efficient and user-friendly”, the team understands the sensitivities involved in advising schools in terms of minimising reputational harm, and avoiding setting precedents.

Staff issues can have a significant impact on schools in terms of cost and management time, the standard of educational provision, and, ultimately, pupil numbers.  We therefore appreciate the need for robust, practical advice when issues arise. 

As well as representing education sector clients in a number of sensitive and high-profile tribunal cases, the team has also advised on a range of issues such as:

• Complex disciplinary and capability processes, grievances and sickness absence;
• Drafting and advising on related policies (e.g. disciplinary, capability, sickness);
• Staffing restructures;
  
• Harassment and bullying;
• Issues arising from the Equality Act 2010;
• Revising terms and conditions of employment on an individual and collective basis;
• Outsourcing e.g. catering, cleaning, nursery provision, including advising on TUPE;
• Gross misconduct, suspension and dismissal;
• Responding to claims of discrimination (e.g. disability, sex, race, age);
• Referring employees to the Independent Safeguarding Authority;
• Handling allegations against a member of staff;
• Appeal hearings;
• Compromise agreements and agreed references;
• Migrant staff immigration issues;
• Equal Pay; and
• Drafting, interpreting and challenging restrictive covenants in employment contracts.