You may need advice on your employment contract at different stages and for different reasons.
When you are starting a new job we can help advise on and explain new contract terms, and give you some points to negotiate with your prospective employer, or help negotiate those directly. Typical areas of focus are payment arrangements (particularly bonuses, incentives and commission arrangements), probationary periods, termination/notice provisions, and post termination restrictions.
During employment you may require advice on changes which your employer is seeking to impose, and whether those changes are authorised by your contract, and, if not, what your options are.
If you are thinking of ending your employment, or you are at risk of dismissal by your employer, we can advise on express/implied duties in your contract which may be relevant to the circumstances of your leaving (for example implied duties of loyalty or if you are a senior employee then possible fiduciary duties which will be relevant if you are intending to move to a competitor or are part of a team move). You may also require advice on the enforceability of post termination restricts in your contact which purport to restrict your activities for a period of time after you leave (non-compete provisions, non-soliciting/dealing with clients, non-poaching of key employees) but may not be enforceable.
You may also have a contract as a contractor or a freelancer rather than an employee which we can also advise on. Contact our expert solicitors.
You can contact us before you start a new job when you have a new contract you would like us to review. Alternatively, you can contact us during employment if you are concerned that your employer has breached your contract, or you want advice on termination rights or post termination restrictions.
Our team will assess your situation and find a suitable solicitor to help you. They will be able to provide you with time frames for the reviews.
Our solicitors will be able provide you with up-front cost estimates based on the work/advise required so you are clear on your costs.
We can help you negotiate better terms and conditions.
Our team of specialist employment lawyers regularly advises on employment contracts, executive service agreements, consultancy/contractor/freelancer agreements and non-executive director appointment letters.
Guiding you with clear, straightforward advice at every step, we make sure you are aware of all your options. If a contract dispute arises we help you find a resolution, and if necessary, can start (or defend) legal proceedings on your behalf and represent you either in the Employment Tribunal or at the High Court.
Our costs are highly competitive and transparent. We will provide you with clear funding options and keep you up-to date throughout.
We recently represented a tech sector employee whose previous employer was threatening legal proceedings to stop her working for a competitor and suing for thousands of pounds of damages for poaching its clients. We successfully countered the poaching accusations and disputed the enforceability of the non-compete restriction her old employer sought to rely on and she was able to continue working for her new company and no damages were paid.
Advising an employee who worked for a high-street retailer who was seeking to enforce a change to her contracted working hours. We helped her to dispute and resist the change and in the face of a potential constructive dismissal claim her employer backed down and we were able to help her agree alternative arrangements which worked for her and a phased transition.