As t o n s So l i c i t o r s

Transcription

1 As t o n s So l i c i t o r s Employment Law Specialists Safeguarding your business is our business

2 Our comprehensive scheme provides your business with:- n An audit and update of your employment contracts, practices and procedures. n Expert help and advice, with a direct helpline to your designated, qualified solicitor. n Insurance of 100, per claim and 1,000, in the aggregate to cover your legal costs and compensation awards in Employment Tribunal claims brought against your business. 2 Safeguarding your business is our business

3 The benefits to your business that the Scheme gives you:- 1. Expert ongoing advice and guidance from your designated, qualified solicitor which will ensure that: n Your policies and procedures are up to date and legally compliant. n You are able to deal with employment law issues in a competent and cost effective manner. 2. A consequential reduction in: n Disputes/Employment Tribunal claims. n Wasted management time. 3. Peace of mind that your legal costs and compensation awards are covered by insurance. 4. Improved cash flow through the elimination of the unpredictable costs of dealing with employment law implementation, compliance, internal disputes and litigation. Safeguarding your business is our business 3

4 Why does my business need Employment Protection? Employee claims to Employment Tribunals continue to increase, year on year, due to: n Increasing awareness of employment rights and a willingness to enforce them. n The level of compensation that can be awarded for example, up to 60,000+ for Unfair Dismissal and unlimited sums for discrimination claims. n The ease with which claims can be brought i.e. merely posting or ing a simple form to an Employment Tribunal. As a consequence employers, more than ever, are paying out significant sums by way of legal costs (even when they win) and additionally, compensation if they lose. Further, many employers struggle to keep pace with the ever changing employment legislation/case law and when they fail to do so, claims can (and do) arise. Without protection your business could be exposed to serious financial loss. n The availability of free representation through insurance arrangements and No Win No Fee schemes. n The extremely low risk of having to pay the employer s costs if you lose. n The wide range of claims that can be brought including: l Unfair/Constructive Dismissal l Discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, age, religion/belief and sexual orientation l Harassment at work l Breach of Contract l Breach of family friendly rights and the Working Time Regulations l Whistleblowing l Failure to consult l Claims under TUPE 4 Safeguarding your business is our business

5 How can the Employment Protection Scheme help my business? 1. We will carry out an audit of your contracts and employment practices and procedures in order to ensure that they are reasonable, relevant and compliant with current employment law. 2. With a direct line to your designated, qualified Solicitor, you are able to obtain advice and guidance on all employment matters without having to worry about escalating legal costs. Whilst the advice you can seek covers non contentious employment matters (e.g. family friendly rights), we will also assist whenever you encounter an employment law issue which could give rise to a claim. Specifically, we will advise and assist you on how best to deal with employment situations as they arise. By following our advice you will comply with current employment law and further, you will minimise or even eliminate both:- a. The likelihood of claims being brought against you; with a low probability of success, Insurance Companies and No Win No Fee lawyers/consultants will be likely to refuse to fund the case, whilst self funding employees will likely desist when told that their claim will fail. b. The risk that the Tribunal will find in the employee s favour and award compensation. Clearly, these are objectives worth achieving because, in addition to saving money, it will prevent wasted time due to the preparation necessary for tribunal hearings, the attendance of employees as witnesses and the general disruption to your business. 3. If a claim is brought, with 100,000 insurance cover per claim for legal costs and compensation awards and 1,000,000 in the aggregate, you are safeguarded against Employment Tribunal claims. Safeguarding your business is our business 5

6 Why should I use Astons Employment Protection Scheme instead of others? 1. You will not be dealing with unqualified consultants. Whenever you contact Astons Solicitors, you will always be advised not only by a qualified Solicitor, but a Solicitor who is a specialist in Employment Law. 2. In addition, under our Scheme, the specialist Solicitor will be your designated qualified Solicitor who will know you and your business, thereby creating a good working relationship, continuity and a better standard of service. We believe that this sets us apart from many other organisations which only provide advice on a first come first served basis resulting in Clients having to deal with successive advisers whom they do not know. 3. Unqualified consultants do not benefit from legal advice privilege and therefore any communications between them and their Clients may have to be disclosed before an Employment Tribunal. As we are a Firm of Solicitors, all advice you receive from us will be privileged and hence none of our communications, including advice is disclosable in an Employment Tribunal. 4. As a Firm of Solicitors we have a duty to act in your best interests and we do just that. Unqualified Consultants do not have such a duty and thus have no obligation to put your interests before theirs. 5. We have an in house legal team with a wealth of employment litigation experience. This means that we are able to handle any and all claims brought against you in an Employment Tribunal from start to finish. 6. You only have to enter into a contract with us for 1 year. Further, you have the facility to spread the fixed cost of this Scheme over the year at no extra cost. This gives you better cash flow and budgetary control. 6 Safeguarding your business is our business

7 Client Feedback We have been delighted with the specialist employment law service provided by Astons Solicitors during the last 11 years. As well as providing prompt, expert and practical advice on a full range of employment law issues they have exclusively represented us at Employment Tribunals where their professionalism, thoroughness and attention to detail has resulted in outstanding success. A quality service at highly competitive rates. Janet Gray- Human Resources & IT Director Jarvis Hotels Ltd During the many years in which Astons Solicitors have acted in the Industrial & Employee Relations area for the VGC Group, they have proved themselves to be professional, competent and always attentive in the service & support they provide. We confidently rely on their quality advice and support in these matters. Sean Fitzpatrick, Managing Director - VGC Group Astons Solicitors have provided us with employment law support for over 15 years. This has covered many different aspects of day to day staff employment issues including recruitment, health & safety, disciplinary and redundancy. We have benefited from discussing issue s directly with a specialist and have always received excellent and quick advice. This professional advice has saved us a significant amount of time and money over the years and we have with their help managed to bring sensitive issues to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties. Robert Ayres, Managing Director - BHW Group The Service provided by Astons Solicitors is excellent, so professional yet in a friendly manner. No matter how small my query or how large, Astons are always on hand to pass on their honest and reliable advice. I would strongly recommend Astons Solicitors to other Companies looking for advice from experienced solicitors. Wendy Bougen, General Manager Le Spa Limited The service we receive from Astons Solicitors is always to a high standard. They are professional, knowledgeable and efficient at all times. I confidently rely on their expertise and advice and would have no hesitation in recommending them to other businesses in need of employment law advice. Bob Cox, Production Manager - Graham Holmes Astraseal Ltd Safeguarding your business is our business 7

8 About Us We are a niche Practice specialising in Employment Law at competitive rates. Astons Solicitors was founded in 1989 and through its reputation and expertise has established a strong Client base ranging from Multi National Companies to small family businesses as well as private individuals. We pride ourselves on providing an efficient, energetic and friendly service to everyone who uses our Firm. We focus on Client satisfaction and we aim to ensure that all expectations are met and hopefully exceeded. We believe that our Practice is refreshingly different from other Law Firms in that:- n We are dedicated exclusively to Employment Law n We have a vast amount of expertise in Employment Law n All Client work is handled only by Solicitors n Our rates and schemes are competitive n As we have an in house advocate, all of our Clients Employment Tribunal work can be handled by our Practice from start to finish. I am interested in joining up Please contact us for a proposal form to get a no obligations quote for your premium. If you then wish to take out a policy, one of our Partners will telephone you to progress matters. Astons Solicitors The Stables, Manor Road, Staverton, Northamptonshire NN11 6JD Tel: Company No