Employment Law

Whether you employ one person or large teams of people, it is important to manage your employees effectively, to make the right decisions for your business and to comply with employment law.

In doing so, you can develop the committed workforce you need, to help your business thrive.

We are passionate about helping you every step of the way, whether you are just starting out or you are an established business that needs support on a particular HR or employment issue.

Employment contracts – All employers are legally required to provide a Statement of Particulars of Employment to their employees, within the first two months of their employment. We can work with you to ensure that you have good contracts in place. You will receive contracts that contain the information required by law but also go further than that, including additional clauses specific to your business needs, so that both parties are clear from the outset on their rights and obligations.

Disciplinary rules, policies and procedures – All employers are required to have disciplinary and grievance procedures in place. However, having clear disciplinary rules, as well as other policies, will help you manage your employees more effectively and with greater confidence if issues arise. We can help you identify what sorts of rules and policies would be helpful to you and ensure that these are drafted to suit your particular business needs.

Audits and update – Employment law doesn’t stay the same for long, so it’s important to make sure your contracts and policies remain up to date. We can help by carrying out an audit of your documentation and updating it where necessary.

When issues arise or things start to go wrong, it is important to address them early and in the right way. It will save you time in the long-run and will help to reduce the risk of a Tribunal claim.

Misconduct and disciplinary issues – We can help you deal with misconduct issues, including advice on investigations, disciplinary hearings, appropriate sanctions and appeals.

Grievances – We can help you respond if a grievance is raised, particularly where there is an allegation of discrimination or harassment.

Sickness absence – Both long-term sickness absence and regular short-term absences can create difficulties for an employer. We can provide advice on how best to manage this, taking into account the possibility of underlying disabilities and your obligation to make reasonable adjustments.

Performance issues – we can guide you through difficult conversations when an employee’s performance dips, as well as providing advice on performance improvement plans and disciplinary sanctions.

Dismissals – If you are considering dismissing an employee, we can provide advice on the legal risks and help you achieve the outcome you want whilst minimising the risk of an unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal or discrimination claim.

Redundancies and restructures – Redundancies and restructures need to be carried out in the right way to avoid giving employees grounds for a Tribunal claim. We can work alongside you to ensure you keep on track and use the right procedures.

TUPE transfers – If you are selling your business or buying a business that has employees, you need to be aware of your rights and obligations under TUPE. We can guide you through that process and work with our business team to ensure the transaction goes smoothly and to help minimise the risk of Tribunal claims.

Negotiated exits and settlement agreements – Sometimes the best commercial decision for a business is to negotiate an employee’s exit. However, this can give rise to a Tribunal claim if not handled in the right way. We can advise you how to start that conversation, keeping risks low, and can draft a settlement agreement for the employee to sign in order to settle any potential claims.

Our fees

We offer a monthly retainer service for a fixed monthly fee or can charge at an hourly rate. We will discuss the options with you to find the arrangement that works best for you and your business.

Employment law made easy

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For further information, please contact:

Claire Collinge

Solicitor & Consultant (Employment Law)

Location: Skipton

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Testimonials

“In dealing with my matter, Claire provided me with prompt and clear advice throughout – together with regular updates on progress. Any questions from me received speedy responses and the whole process helped me significantly in negotiating my way through a potentially difficult and stressful period.”

Anonymous Client for Claire Collinge – January 2021

Anonymous Client - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant

“Claire was extremely thorough from start to finish, keeping me updated throughout and keeping the whole process simple.”

Andy Ellis for Claire Collinge – January 2021

Andy Ellis - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant

“Great service from Claire. I was very pleased with her responsiveness, advice and resolution.”

Gill Paterson for Claire Collinge January 2021

Gill Paterson - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant

“I received prompt, comprehensive, and considered advice from Claire, which was both technically legally detailed but in an understandable form. The advice was not just technical but sensible and pragmatic. Claire picked up and understood the situation very thoroughly with little difficulty. Her advice was clear and concise and it was evident that she had given the matter full consideration before advising me on how to progress. Her contact with me was friendly and she took on board my thoughts, views and aims at every point of the matter.

“Overall I was extremely impressed by the way Claire handled the matter and unreservedly recommend anyone with an employment issue to use Claire’s services.”

Anonymous Client – Claire Collinge

Anonymous Client - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant

“Claire was very friendly and easy to deal with. Made things clear from the start.”

Claire Collinge December 2020

Adele Upton - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant

Clearly, I would rather be running my business or dealing with my own clients so it was a delight to receive such prompt and effective advice to allow me to get on with what matters to me. An excellent service.

Claire

Sean Narey, Sean Narey Financial Planning Ltd - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant (Employment Law)

Claire provides clear, practical and concise advice in a very personable and responsive way. As a business we have utilised Claire’s skills on a number of occasions when faced with complex HR situations, and found her approach exactly what we needed to successfully navigate our way through them.

Claire

- Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant (Employment Law)

From my first phone call to Walker Foster all the way through we have had 100% confidence in you all and especially Claire at a difficult time for me and the family. That trust has been totally justified, you have made things so much easier and taken the stress off us. We can’t thank you enough. Walker Foster will always be our family solicitors, you are the best.

Claire

Peter Boardman - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant (Employment Law)

Claire provided expert advice and support. I will always be grateful to her for guiding me through the most challenging of times for me and for doing so with calmness and expertise

Claire

- Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant (Employment Law)

I was recommended Claire to act on my behalf with regards to issues with my employment and she was excellent. I received reasoned advice in a timely and efficient manner which resulted in a positive outcome. Her expertise, support and professionalism were consistent and made the process much more manageable

Claire

- Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant (Employment Law)

Claire and the team at Walker Foster could not be more helpful. We are a small organisation that relies on their expertise and common sense approach to all our employee related requirements and occasional issues. Claire is particularly responsive, meeting our tight timescales and we are confident that her professional advice supports our compliance with all employment law requirements.

Claire

Dutton Fisher Associates - Re: Claire Collinge - Solicitor & Consultant (Employment Law)

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Then click the button below or give our staff a call.
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01756 700200

Employment Law

For further information, please contact:

Testimonials

For BusinessLearn More

Contact UsNot found the service you are looking for? Or need some more Information?Then click the button below or give our staff a call.Get in Touch 01756 700200

For IndividualsLearn More

For Business
Learn More

Contact Us
Not found the service you are looking for?
Or need some more Information?
Then click the button below or give our staff a call.
Get in Touch

01756 700200

For Individuals
Learn More