Employment for Employers
A service provided by Talk Legal Limited
An employment problem rarely improves by being ignored.
Talk Legal helps employers deal with difficult workplace problems and defend claims when ACAS Early Conciliation or Employment Tribunal proceedings have begun.
Has the problem started inside the workplace?
We may be able to assist an employer dealing with:
- —a grievance;
- —alleged misconduct or a disciplinary process;
- —poor performance or capability;
- —sickness absence and return-to-work issues;
- —disability and reasonable-adjustment questions;
- —complaints of discrimination, harassment or victimisation;
- —redundancy or reorganisation;
- —a proposed settlement discussion;
- —a difficult decision where the procedure and written reasons must be carefully considered.
Early work is intended to help the employer make and document a lawful, defensible decision. It is not a promise that a dispute or claim can always be avoided.
Has ACAS or the Employment Tribunal contacted you?
Act promptly. An ACAS notification may require an early decision about engagement and settlement. An Employment Tribunal claim will arrive with a response deadline which must not be missed.
For a suitable defence, the work may include:
- —reviewing the ET1, particulars and key employment documents;
- —identifying the claims and the employer's factual answer;
- —assisting with the ET3 response;
- —advising on evidence, witnesses and settlement;
- —helping comply with case-management orders;
- —preparing statements, chronologies, schedules and submissions;
- —organising disclosure and the hearing bundle;
- —representation at preliminary or final hearings where agreed.
A service for employers only
Clear positioning matters. Talk Legal does not act for employees or claimants in employment disputes. This avoids a confused public offer and allows the employment section to speak directly to owners, directors, managers and respondent organisations.
How we work
- —Tell us the nature of the problem and the date of any deadline.
- —Send the essential policy, correspondence, ACAS or Tribunal papers.
- —We check fit, timing and conflict.
- —If the matter is accepted, the work, responsibility, fee and timetable are agreed in writing.
- —We help the employer make the next decision or defend the claim within the agreed scope.
Part of Talk Legal
The work is led by Bryan Slater, who qualified as a solicitor and formerly practised for approximately 30 years. His experience includes employment disputes, civil litigation, commercial matters, negotiation and advocacy.
Is there a deadline?
Put the deadline at the top of your enquiry and telephone if it is close. An Employment Tribunal respondent will usually have 28 days after being sent the claim to present its response, but the date stated by the Tribunal must be checked and followed.
Contacting Talk Legal does not create a retainer or make Talk Legal responsible for the deadline.
Tell us about the employment problem
Send the essential papers and the date of any deadline. We will tell you whether the matter is within our service and what the next step would be.