Navigating troubled waters
16th November 2022
When employees are made redundant, have to transfer to another company as part of a merger or takeover, or bring an employment tribunal claim for unfair dismissal or discrimination, employers need expert advice.
Employment law is so complex, only a legal specialist is likely to understand the rights both of employers and employees. With a government determined to ditch many EU laws in the next couple of years, it’s an ever-changing landscape that makes it difficult to keep up.
Lawyer Nigel French has been immersed in employment law and human resources for over 30 years, with his daughter and fellow director Lydia joining him five years ago as an experienced human resources consultant in London and East Anglia.
Nigel has lectured on business and employment law at the prestigious Anglia Ruskin University and is much in demand for workplace seminars aimed at directors and managers.
He took an office in Epsilon House for eight years from 2010 before relocating to Essex. Now back in Suffolk, he makes use of Masterlord’s virtual office service with a prestige address, phone answering, copying, postal services, and a meeting room when he needs one.
“Epsilon House provides a professional service so I can focus on the business,” Nigel says. He admits that he enjoyed being part of a community at Epsilon House where the shared kitchen areas are a melting pot for business ideas and advice. One person he met over coffee at Epsilon has now been a client for ten years: “The networking opportunities were and still are great!”
With current economic volatility, many services are being contracted out: “In uncertain times there’s a lot of fluidity, with companies being taken over and, sadly, redundancies.”
When employees transfer from one company to another, it’s often difficult to harmonise their terms and conditions, which will change with the move. Mergers and acquisitions are a growth area for legal expertise, as is advising on employment tribunals for unfair dismissals.
Claims for detrimental treatment as a result of whistleblowing is an area of particular increased activity in recent times, according to Nigel, and the employers he advises have to be careful in the management of the exit of staff, whether by dismissal or a negotiated settlement agreement.
Contract disputes are also common, with breakdowns in the relationship between a company and employee, leading to the drafting of legally binding severance packages, which eliminate the risk of claims subsequently. “Some of these cases can produce knotty problems requiring careful management”, says Nigel, “and we offer sound, pragmatic and cost effective legal advice in resolving practical workplace problems. We recognise that it’s about providing protection for employees but also looking after the employer to whom we’re providing legal guidance.”
For more information: nigelfrench.co.uk
email info@nigelfrench.co.uk
or call 01473 599230. Mobile: 07549 888557
