On 7 Sep 2014 at 8:43pm Amanda wrote:
Can anyone recommend a local law firm for employment law advice please? Thanks
On 8 Sep 2014 at 12:22am Border Control wrote:
My advice is ; Be slow to hire and quick to fire ! Hope that helps.
Also call ACAS they are very helpful and offer a free service.
On 8 Sep 2014 at 8:46am Thatcherism wrote:
Join a Union - I did . And I got payout for unfair dismissal . 
On 8 Sep 2014 at 12:13pm Amanda wrote:
I am in a union ....
On 8 Sep 2014 at 12:30pm Info wrote:
don't forget to see if any of your insurance policies might cover costs. Often Home Insurance does.
On 8 Sep 2014 at 1:48pm ********ism wrote:
Your union is of no help ? That`s not good 
On 8 Sep 2014 at 2:40pm Fiona wrote:
Employment law is a minefield and getting a good solicitor is only the first step. If you have an employer that is unwilling to engage, you are in for a fight. I blew the whistle on abuse in a local care home where I was working. A long investigation was undertaken by Adult Social care who substantiated all my allegations. Despite this, my employer refused to believe me!!!! I suffered from severe depression as a result of what happened and how I was treated; this was 2 yrs ago and I am still officially employed there yet I do not go to work. My employer will not sack me because of the repercussions and my solicitor advises me not to leave! I have involved ACAS, Norman Baker and an employment law specialist but the employer ignores them all. This incurred a large solicitor's bill and as I could not afford the fee to go to tribunal (which I was advised I would undoubtedly win) I have had to let things go yet I remain in limbo. I had a 'Without prejudice' meeting with my employer in the early days and he revealed matters from this meeting to people with my knowledge and certainly without my consent. I know my case is unusual but as I say, Employment Law is a minefield. With household insurance, you only have a certain amount of time to raise your claim. As for my union; I was a member of one at the time and they said they could not help me as I had not been a member long enough. They invoked the 4 week rule, yet the branch leader could have over ridden that. If I had waited 4 weeks, more elderly people would have been abused and possibly died. I was in a no win situation.
On 8 Sep 2014 at 3:06pm bastian wrote:
The law is all in B/W on the uk.gov site. It is in detail and the unions should back you up and help you out financially if you have a proven case to bring to them.
What exactly is your problem, because some things are blatently obvious like unfair dismissle and others are not, like fag breaks that are not in your contract. Your contract with your employer is vital, if a point was not clearly made in your contract you might be on to something, however many things are enshrined in law and ALL companies have to allow them because they are statutary right, ie sick pay, minimum wage, holiday entitlement. Just so you know, your employer shouls have given you a written contract, stating your working relationship within 16 weeks of your appointment, that is the usual time on which you are on trial employment, that is usual.
Many employers take advantage of the fact that most people can't afford to sue them if they do something wrong, but so do landlords-however, your union should step in first-if you walk out, you may have broken your contract- and they can dismiss you 9like striking when your union hasn't agreed to strike). Unison have a hot line, google them, or go to the TUC and talk to them.
On 8 Sep 2014 at 3:11pm Passing By wrote:
Try Sarah (see website below)
I havent used her but always heard positives from people who have used her services
Check it out here »
On 8 Sep 2014 at 4:55pm Amanda wrote:
Thanks very much for all your helpful advice. Fiona, so sorry to hear of your experience: my mum was in various care homes - obviously the wrong ones ... enough said here but suffice to say I completely get where you might be coming from. I hope situation improves for you and at least you know you did the right thing for the old people concerned. Bastian, you may be right employment law being b/w but it does seem to be open to intepretation as far as my employer goes although I have yet to look into this fully. I will look into the financial assistance potentially available on home insurance and union and hunt out my original contract too. Thanks again. Things are moving so fast it's terrifying. I'd still welcome personal recommendations on employment law specialists locally (although I do appreciate the general recommendation of a local law company, Passing By).
On 8 Sep 2014 at 8:26pm Feline wrote:
Amanda, if you go onto the Law Society's website they have a search engine to find solicitors specialising in a particular area of law by location. It also tells you things like if they give you an initial 30minute free session. I found my solicitor from this when I was in dispute with my employer some years ago. He was in Worthing and did a great job - I never met him, it was all carried out by email but my employer had admitted to behaving badly and was agreeable to a pay off. i could try and dig out the paperwork but I think you should try the website.
On 9 Sep 2014 at 12:14am skeptical green wrote:
Definitely go via the union if you can. Speak to a full time official if your local rep is not giving quick answers. Most of the national unions offer a good service and can get advice from top legal firms and specialist employment barristers for you as they have bulk work for employment lawyers and therefore command a good service. Get advice asap and take all the correspondence and emails from your employer that are relevant with you to first meeting with your adviser as well as any contract
and copies of of terms of employment etc. Also for any session with a legal advisor it is always best to make a rough note of what you want to tell them, sequence of events and any questions you want to ask them before attending. This helps you give them the best information and makes sure you don't forget anything important
On 9 Sep 2014 at 10:00am Southover Queen wrote:
Yes, phone the union's head office. There will be an official responsible for your branch/division who will be able to offer specialised advice and who has access to employment lawyers who *only* represent employees (so will be on your side). Your local rep will be a lay member who may not be up to speed on how to deal with your problem, but the reason you pay your union subs is to get specialised and expert advice and support for free! Please don't spend your own money: you may need it.
On 9 Sep 2014 at 2:43pm Amanda wrote:
Thank you all very much! Really helpful advice. I feel better already.
On 9 Sep 2014 at 3:12pm bastian wrote:
Lastly, if you are still at work, keep a log book of any irregularities, events that could be intimidation or bullying and date it. I have had to do this myself with a bully and it worked, they got hauled over the coals. Here is some advice from someone I spoke to at the time, "don't let an idiot chase you out of a job you are good and and like doing".
On 9 Sep 2014 at 3:26pm Amanda wrote:
Bastian, you're spot on!
On 10 Sep 2014 at 12:47pm To bastian wrote:
But what to do if the bully is the boss ?
On 10 Sep 2014 at 1:28pm Fiona wrote:
If the bully is the boss - exactly! My employer has broken practically every employment law going, including not ever instigating absence management, yet because I cannot afford to take him to tribunal, he gets away with it. If my union had helped me, if the ACAS representative had tried harder etc. I haven't given up, as much as he would like me to but when/if the situation will ever be resolved, who knows! Interesting that he won't sack me though.
On 12 Sep 2014 at 7:30am Lewes Lawyer wrote:
Simon Dodds at Lawson Lewis Blakers. He is based in the Eastbourne office but regularly travels to the Lewes office to see clients. The Lewes office also has free parking. 01273 480234. Yes, I work at LLB so I am biased but Simon is brilliant and experienced.LLB costs are very competitive.
On 12 Sep 2014 at 8:35am Amanda wrote:
Thanks again all for great feedback. Lewes Lawyer I will give Simon Dodds a bell - very much appreciated.
On 12 Sep 2014 at 3:03pm Fiona wrote:
Amanda, please be careful because costs mount up very quickly, even with a 'reasonable' solicitor. My bill hit £500 and running, all that had occurred was a meeting, couple of emails and one letter.