Employee

We appreciate that as an employee dealing with your employer or an ex-employer can seem like a daunting experience. If you instruct us, we will ensure that you are represented on an equal basis, that you are heard and that your rights are protected.

It is not only employees that have employment rights; if you are suitably qualified but are not getting appointed to positions you apply for (or do not even receive an interview) you may have been the victim of unlawful discrimination.

Currently in England and Wales, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person (who could be an applicant for a position, an employee or an ex-employee) on the grounds of Sex, Sexual Orientation, Age, Disability, Race, Religion or Belief. The right not to be discriminated against also extends to workers, agents and contractors.

We take great pride in being able to offer a complete service from initial consultation right through to representation at the hearing itself. We believe continuity is important for our clients and we are therefore reluctant to instruct a barrister at the last moment to do the hearing unless it is clearly in our client’s best interest to do so.

Whatever the nature of your dispute, we have the expertise and resources to help you. With over 60 different claims which can be made to an Employment Tribunal (not forgetting the County Court and Higher Courts for contractual matters, injunctions etc).

Typical claims include:

• Unfair dismissal
• Wrongful dismissal
• Unlawful discrimination on one of the prohibited grounds, ie Age, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex, (including pregnancy and maternity rights)
• Sexual orientation and Disability
• Harassment and victimisation including claims under the Harassment Act 1997.
• Equal Pay
• Unlawful deduction of wages
• Protected disclosures (Whistle-blowing)
• Transfer of an Undertaking (your rights on the sale, purchase, merger etc of your employer’s business)

It is important that the correct claims are made within the appropriate timescales. Most employment tribunal claims must be brought within 3 months of the action being complained about otherwise the Employment Tribunal will reject the claim. It is also important to establish whether your claim needs to follow an internal statutory dismissal or grievance procedure first before it can be submitted to a Tribunal. Failure to follow a statutory procedure first could mean that your claim is refused, or if it is admitted, compensation could be reduced by as much as 50%.

Please use our contact us details if you would like advice on an employment related matter or you would like to know more about us.