We are commercially-minded and highly personalised in our approach to employment law advice and HR support.
Our award winning Employment Team acts for employers in the UK, Europe, the US and beyond, with particular focus on the technology, retail, manufacturing and public sectors. We also act for senior executives and deal with Board room issues.
We deliver creative solutions across employment issues that arise from the beginning of the employment relationship to the end, by working to understand the culture and drivers within our clients' businesses in order to assist them in achieving their goals.
We support HR teams by providing strategic advice, preparing contractual documents and handbooks, advising on redundancy and restructures, TUPE, industrial action, working time issues and the management of litigation in the Courts and Employment Tribunals.
COVID-19 Legal Implications
We continue to advise clients on the dramatic and complex implications COVID-19 continues to have on the UK workforce. The team supports both employers and individuals on issues ranging from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the new concept of "furlough", dealing with discrimination and whistleblowing issues in the context of the current pandemic, employees' rights to pay and benefits, varying terms and conditions of employment, interaction and consultation with Unions, carrying out redundancy processes, lay off provisions and the rights of migrant workers.
Our clients include a wide range of sectors, including public, private and charitable sectors, all of whom have different concerns, priorities and obligations during these unprecedented times. Employment law in the context of COVID-19 is constantly evolving, with new guidance issued each week, which we quickly consolidate and interpret to maintain our up-to-date, pragmatic and sector-specific advice on dealing with this new and emerging legal and commercial landscape.
We know our employer clients must react quickly to this fast changing and uncertain environment as they are forced to make significant operational decisions about managing the workforce at short notice. Our rapid response to clients enables those fast, yet significant decisions to be made in the most informed way possible to address the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Equally we will be here to support and guide clients through the post pandemic economic and commercial landscape as the situation continues to evolve and to support clients in rebuilding their workforce for the long term. Visit the COVID-19 page.
Specialisms
- Contracts, Terms and Conditions of Employment & Directors Service Agreements
- Litigation and trial advocacy
- Working time including sleep in and on call issues
- Restructures and redundancy
- Industrial relations, disputes and Trade Union recognition
- Grievance, disciplinary, capability and dismissal procedures
- Termination packages and Settlement Agreements
- Employment Covenants, post-termination restrictions, confidential information and High Court representation
Handbooks, policies and procedures
Our team can create bespoke documents for you or provide templates that you can reuse with our support. This includes "family friendly" policies and GDPR compliant policies.
Be prepared: the cost of HR in outsourcing
TUPE is a piece of legislation which operates to transfer the employment from one service provider to another - here are some useful points to be aware of.
Find out moreWe advise sole representatives and entrepreneurs setting up business in the UK for the first time in addition to established businesses in the UK who wish to transfer employees from an overseas group company or source the talent of non-EEA nationals for skilled roles.
Find out moreAn introduction to the private sector IR35 reforms
IR35 is the tax legislation that is designed to assess whether contractors are genuine contractors or disguised employees for the purposes of paying tax. We look at the reforms from April 2020 which will see a shift in responsibility for determining the tax status from the individual to the recipient of the contractor’s services.
Find out moreEmployment aspects of public sector outsourcing projects
We can advise on TUPE, the negotiations of warranties and indemnities and post-acquisition harmonisation issues.
Employment aspects of business and company sales and purchases
We can advise on TUPE, the negotiations of warranties and indemnities and post-acquisition harmonisation issues. We can advise on TUPE, the negotiations of warranties and indemnities and post-acquisition harmonisation issues.
Internal training
We can offer bespoke training for you and your staff including best practice for conducting disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Kirsty Cooke and Su Apps from Ashfords' Employment Team are hosting a series of Employment webinars, covering a wide range of subjects.
Find out moreRelevant Experience
Successful defence for a large employer against a claim of automatic unfair dismissal by an ex-employee on the grounds of whistleblowing.
All relevant experience