Employment Law

Why Employment Law Advice Is Essential For Business

For small and medium sized enterprises without the resources to hire private legal advisers, or to have their own in house team, Employment law can be something of a minefield. The fact that this area of law underpins the way employees must be treated makes it crucial for any employer – no matter how small – and yet there is very little assistance in terms of making sense of the mass of legislation, much of which is constantly changing.

This is where Employment law advice for businesses, of whatever size, is crucial as the consequences of not understanding what is required of an employer can be costly – for example, where a business is by an employee for discrimination (no matter how accidental this may have been), the financial penalties could deliver a crushing blow to the business’ cashflow.

There are many areas within Employment law that employers need to consider, including understanding the legal requirements of legislation such as the Equality Act, drawing up documentation such as employment contracts, and getting to grips with how to handle the process of something like a disciplinary issue. Most businesses will need to grasp everything from structuring the business and cash flow to take into account the requirement to allow staff time off on bank holidays, to being able to offer a pregnant woman the legally required maternity package and protection.

Employment law essentials can be broken down into three key areas:

1. Employment law changes. For example, implementing the National Minimum Wage, incorporating amendments to agency workers rights, dealing with a potential redundancy situation, and the phase out of the Default Retirement Age.

2. Employment law issues. For example, dealing with situations where there are problems with staff, such as cyber bullying or breach of contract, and how to approach an employment tribunal case or a potential dismissal.

3. Employment law documents. For example, terms and conditions, staff contracts, staff handbooks, internal website use policy.

It can seem like an almost impossible task to sift through all the legislation to make sense of the requirements that are applicable to an individual business without getting some level of guidance. Those who are looking to do this on an efficient and cost effective basis may find the answer lies in fixed cost, industry specific legal advice packages such as those available from us. Law Hound offers IT and creative business Employment law packages that are sector specific – if you would like to find out more about the cost and efficiency savings you can make with this service, contact 01244 300413