Employment Law

Employment Law in Reading

Barrett and Co are highly experienced and trusted employment law solicitors in Reading. We have a deep understanding of the intricacies of employment law, providing countless people both locally and nationally with effective legal advice in this area.

What Employment Law Matters Can We Help With?

Our knowledge of this area allows us to help employees and employers navigate a variety of matters related to employment law. Our employment law solicitors are always on hand to help you navigate even the most complex of legal issues, including:

Discrimination At Work

Unfortunately, discrimination is still present in our society, and sometimes takes place at work. If you feel like you’re a victim of workplace discrimination, then our solicitors will do all they can to ensure that you’re fairly compensated for your experience.

Settlement Agreements

Settlement agreements are offered to an employee in exchange for dropping an employment claim against their employer in exchange for compensation. They are common in the context of a dismissal and our team have vast experience handling settlement agreements.

Wrongful and Unfair Dismissal

All employees have the right not to be unfairly dismissed and, at Barrett and Co, we have a proven track record of supporting those who have been. Our employment law solicitors will work on your behalf to ascertain whether you have been unfairly dismissed, maintaining clean and consistent communication with you throughout the process.

Constructive Dismissal

Constructive dismissal is a complex legal concept that arises when an employer breaches the employment contract in such a way that it forces the employee to resign. In these cases, the breach is considered a ‘fundamental breach’ of the contract, and it provides the employee with a legitimate reason to leave their job.

Employment Tribunals

An Employment Tribunal is a legal forum where disputes related to employment rights and issues between employees and employers are resolved. These tribunals are independent judicial bodies and play a crucial role in upholding and enforcing employment laws.

What’s The Time Limit For Making A Claim Against My Employer?

When facing issues or disputes with your employer, it’s crucial to understand the strict timeframes for making a claim against them. In most employment cases, adhering to specific time limits is paramount to the success of your claim. Individuals must start their claim three months minus one day from either the date of dismissal or the date of the incident leading to the dispute.

Additionally, it’s essential to comply with pre-claim conciliation procedures before moving forward with a claim. This often involves attempts to resolve the matter through mediation or discussions facilitated by an independent conciliator, such as ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). Failure to engage in these pre-claim steps can impact the ability to proceed with legal action later on.

You must act swiftly to have a valid claim. A delay in seeking legal advice or starting your claim process could jeopardise your ability to pursue a case.

How Long do Employment Claims Take?

At Barrett and Co, we recognise that resolving employment disputes swiftly and effectively is a priority for our clients. We employ a proactive approach to seek resolutions before lodging a formal claim and at any phase during the legal proceedings.

Settlements often materialise during pre-claim conciliation, which is a crucial phase aimed at resolving disputes without resorting to formal legal action. If an agreement is reached during this stage, the matter can typically be resolved within a span of two to three months. Our experienced team navigates this phase diligently, striving to find an amicable resolution that satisfies your interests.

In instances where the claim proceeds to a final hearing, the process may extend over a more extended period, typically spanning between 12 to 18 months. This period encompasses the necessary legal procedures, hearings, evidence collection, and the final resolution by a tribunal or court.

Employment Law FAQs

Find some additional helpful information in our employment law FAQs. These answers are brief summaries and should be adapted to the specific legal context and requirements of Barrett and Co’s legal advice and expertise.

Unfair dismissal occurs when an employer terminates your employment without a valid reason or without following proper procedures. Employees have the right to challenge unfair dismissal within specific timeframes by lodging a claim with an employment tribunal if they’ve been employed for more than two years (in most cases).

You can make an unfair dismissal claim if you’ve been in continuous employment for at least two years.

Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, it’s your right to claim for unfair dismissal if you’ve been discriminated against during your employment.

In most cases, employers must have a valid reason supported by evidence to dismiss an employee. Valid reasons could include misconduct, capability, redundancy, or a statutory restriction. Dismissal without a valid reason could lead to a claim for unfair dismissal.

Workplace discrimination includes treating someone unfairly based on characteristics like age, gender, race, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. If you feel discriminated against, document the incidents, raise the issue internally through your employer’s grievance procedure, and seek legal advice promptly.

Workplace bullying is offensive, intimidating and malicious behaviour that’s intended to undermine an individual or group of employees.

If you think you’re a victim of workplace bullying, then you should raise this with your employer and bring evidence if possible.

Report any instances of harassment or bullying to a manager, HR, or another appropriate person in your workplace as per your company’s policy. Keep records of incidents and seek legal advice if the situation persists or escalates.

Negotiating employment contracts involves discussing terms such as salary, benefits, working hours, and responsibilities. It’s advisable to seek legal advice before signing any contracts to ensure the terms are fair and protect your rights.

Employees must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, depending on their age and employment status. Working hours, breaks, and rest periods are regulated under the Working Time Regulations, ensuring employees’ health and safety.

Other Services We Offer

Conveyancing

Our team take pride in offering top-notch conveyancing services, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey.

Dispute Resolution

Our dispute resolution solicitors are always on-hand to give you the best legal advice to resolve a variety of disputes.

Family Law

Our team approach each case with empathy to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.

Wills, Trusts & Probate

Our team can discuss with you the different types of Wills which may be appropriate for your family situation.

Access Industry-Leading Employment Law Support Today

Our solicitors offer such a wide range of employment law services, so please contact us today to discuss your legal needs. We’re committed to providing our valued clients with the highest level of support possible, and we’ll do all we can to get the best outcome for you.

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