Employment Law for Business - MLP Law

Expert Employment Law Services for your Business

Welcome to mlplaw, where exceptional service is our commitment.

Employing people presents incredibly complex challenges for businesses and the financial and reputational risks of getting things wrong can be significant.

That’s why you need our highly experienced experts on your side, guiding you through the minefield and protecting your interests every step of the way.

We are jargon-free and commercial. We understand the challenges you face and provide specialist practical and pro-active support.

Email our
Employment Team

Call Us

0161 926 9969

Our expertise in the following areas

Business Protection

It’s important to protect your business from unfair competition.

We can help you with:

  • Preparing bespoke “business protection” clauses, including post-termination restrictions (non-compete, non-solicitation etc) and confidentiality restrictions; and
  • Enforcing restrictions through injunction applications and claims for damages
Contact Us

Defending Employment Tribunal Claims

At some stage, all employers are likely to receive an Employment Tribunal claim.

We understand you will need experienced litigators to help with:

  • Drafting and submitting your Response to the claim;
  • Collection and disclosure of evidence;
  • Witness statement preparation
  • Full representation by one of our Employment Law experts at all Preliminary and Final Hearings;
  • Expert guidance through the Employment Tribunal process, from start to finish;
  • Representation in the ACAS Early Conciliation process and in commercial settlement discussions.
Contact Us

Employment Law Training

Our expert Employment Law solicitors are experienced and engaging trainers who provide bespoke training on all Employment Law matters including:

  • Conducting fair disciplinary and dismissal processes;
  • Hearing employee grievances
  • Handling poor performance
  • Managing sickness absence
  • Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment; and
  • Employment Law Updates.
Contact Us

Family Rights

We advise employers on their employees’ family friendly rights, including:

  • Preparing bespoke “family friendly” policies, including maternity and paternity;
  • Helping employers deal with employees taking time off for family reasons;
  • Ensuring employers avoid discriminatory decisions or breaches of employee rights; and
  • Handling business changes, such as redundancies, which arise whilst employees are exercising their rights.
Contact Us

Managing Sickness Absence

Our Employment Law solicitors are experts at assisting employers to proactively manage difficult sickness issues whilst minimising the risks to the business.

We can help with:

  • Creating bespoke Sickness Absence Policies, setting out expectations for reporting sickness absence and how such absences will be managed.
  • Guiding employers through important sickness absence management meetings, including Return to Work Meetings, Welfare Meetings and Capability Meetings
  • Obtaining medical information and occupational health advice to inform and assist with making key decisions.
  • Minimising the risk of unfair dismissal and discrimination claims arising from capability dismissals or sickness absence management
  • Advising on making reasonable adjustments for disabled employees; and
  • Providing bespoke training to managers conducting sickness management processes
Contact Us

Settlement Agreements and Protected Conversations

We prepare bespoke Settlement Agreements to ensure your business has maximum protection and complies with the specific statutory requirements for such agreements.

  • Drafting bespoke Settlement Agreements;
  • Providing you with scripts, and related letters, enabling you to conduct effective protected conversations; and
  • Providing bespoke training to managers conducting protected conversations.
Contact Us

Holidays

Calculating holiday entitlements and holiday pay is a notoriously tricky business. Our experts can ensure you comply with the latest legal developments and best practice to avoid thorny holiday pay claims.

Discrimination

Your workers and job applicants are protected against discrimination because of a protected characteristic and, as an employer, you can even be held for the discriminatory actions of your employees.  

It is therefore crucial that you promote a working environment which promotes equality and prevents discrimination.

We can help you achieve this by: 

  • Advising you on your obligations as an employer;
  • Training your managers and key decision makers on how to ensure they make fair decisions and avoid allegations of discrimination;
  • Preparing bespoke workplace policies which demonstrate your commitment to equality and zero-tolerance of discrimination and harassment of any kind; and
  • Providing our practical and legal support in fostering a positive workplace culture which promotes equality, diversity and inclusion;
  • Responding to grievances alleging discrimination and taking disciplinary action against employees who discriminate against others; and
  • Representation in defending Employment Tribunal claims.
Contact Us

Contracts of Employment and Directors’ Service Agreements

The ever changing nature of Employment Law makes it essential to keep your Contracts of Employment fully up to date.

We can help you with:

  • Preparing bespoke Employment Contracts and Directors’ Service Agreements which ensure you meet your legal obligations under the Employment Rights Act 1996;
  • Designing tailored clauses to protect your business, including confidentiality restrictions and post-termination restrictions; and
  • Drafting complex bonus and remuneration schemes.
Contact Us

Employee Handbooks and Workplace Policies

Employee Handbooks are invaluable tools. We design bespoke Handbooks which add practical value and promote your culture.

We can help you with:

  • Designing bespoke Employee Handbooks and Workplace Policies;
  • Advising on implementing and applying internal policies and procedures;
  • Providing regular updates and reviews to ensure your Employee Handbook is always fit for purposes and keeping pace with Employment Law changes.
Contact Us

Employment Status and Consultancy

Many businesses engage independent contractors, or “consultants”, rather than employees. Before doing so, it is vital to ensure it would be lawful and appropriate to do so.

We can help you with:

  • Advising you on the appropriate employment status for the people working for you;
  • Preparing bespoke contracts that are consistent with the applicable status, including Consultancy Agreements, Contracts of Employment and Zero Hours Contracts; and
  • Advising you on the implications of IR35.
Contact Us

Handling disciplinaries, poor performance and grievances

Our experienced Employment Law experts are on hand to guide you through these complex processes and ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

We can help with:

  • Advising on investigations into misconduct, poor performance or grievances;
  • Providing all correspondence required, including invitation letters and outcome letters
  • Ensuring compliance with fair procedures, including the ACAS Code;
  • Providing scripts for meetings and hearings;
  • Designing bespoke policies and procedures on disciplinary, performance and grievance matters
  • Helping you deal with sensitive issues such as bullying, whistleblowing and discrimination; and
  • Training you and your managers on conducting fair and effective disciplinary, performance and grievance procedures.
Contact Us

Redundancy and Restructure

We guide employers through effective redundancy exercises, including where collective consultation obligations apply, and minimise the risk of Employment Tribunal claims by assisting with:

  • Preparing all the supporting documents needed to conduct a fair redundancy process, including invitation and outcome letters, meeting scripts, scoring matrixes
  • Designing fair scoring criteria and selection processes;
  • Liaising with trade unions and representatives; and
  • Providing bespoke training to managers conducting redundancy consultation processes.
Contact Us

Transfers of Undertakings (TUPE)

We help you navigate the complexities of the TUPE process, providing expert guidance and advice every step of the way and minimising the risks to your business, we can offer advice on:

  • Advising on obligations to inform and consult with affected employees;
  • Ensuring compliance with obligations to provide employer liability information;
  • Guiding employers through the steps required to affect any post-transfer changes; and
  • Avoiding costly Employment Tribunal claims and substantial penalties for TUPE breaches.
Contact Us

Flexible Working

We ensure employers comply with their obligations in respect of flexible working requests, including dealing with requests which clash with business needs.

Reasonable Adjustments

If any of your employees have a disability, you may be required to make reasonable adjustments to remove the disadvantages they suffer because of their disability. This may include changes to their hours of work, their place of work or their working environment. The changes must be reasonable, taking into account the resources available to you as an employer. 

We can help with: 

  • Advice on your obligations to make reasonable adjustments as an employer;
  • Understanding which adjustments are reasonable and which are not;
  • Responding to grievances alleging you have failed to make reasonable adjustments; and
  • Representation in defending Employment Tribunal claims.
Contact Us

Our Team

Employment Law expert Gareth Matthews

Gareth Matthews

Partner - Employment Law expert
Amy Jefferson - Paralegal - Employment Law

Amy Jefferson

Paralegal - Employment Law
Deborah Scales - Employment Law and Partner

Deborah Scales

Partner - Employment Law

Gareth Matthews

Partner - Employment Law expert

Gareth is a Partner in mlplaw’s Employment team and for over 10 years has specialised in employment law, primarily advising businesses and senior individuals. Gareth has significant litigation experience, including experience as an advocate in the Employment Tribunal. Gareth also has considerable experience in advising on the employment issues in corporate mergers and acquisition, including the complexities which arise in TUPE transfers.

Gareth’s sector experience is wide ranging, encompassing advice to clients in the hospitality, retail, construction, healthcare, recruitment and manufacturing industries.

Gareth provides training to clients and organisations on a variety of key employment topics, such as absence management, disciplinary and grievance processes and employment law updates. Gareth also acts as a guest lecturer in employment law at Liverpool Hope University.

Gareth has been described by Legal 500 as someone who is ‘very reassuring and does a great job’ and was named Legal Personality of the Year by Downtown in Business. Gareth has also been quoted as an employment law expert in the Manchester Evening News and The Times and is known for his pragmatic and commercial advice, as well as his ability to quickly understand his clients’ business objectives and tailor his advice accordingly.

Prior to joining mlplaw, Gareth spent a number of years working in the employment teams at two international law firms in Manchester.

Away from work Gareth is a passionate cricket and football fan and enjoys discovering new music. Gareth is also a keen traveller but has had to put his plans to become fluent in a foreign language on hold in favour of spending time with family, particularly his two young sons of whom he is incredibly proud.

Phone: 0161 926 1583

Amy Jefferson

Paralegal - Employment Law

Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in Law, Amy started her legal career at a trade union law firm based in Sheffield in September 2022.

Amy’s interest in legal practice began following a series of trips to the Manchester Crown Court public gallery with her Grandad. What started as a few day trips sparked a real interest in legal practice and a few years later she undertook work experience with a high street firm in Bramhall specialising in employment law.

This area was further explored during university by studying an elective module in employment law and completing a part time work placement in employment law alongside studies in her final year. After university, looking to explore her options she began working in personal injury. However, quickly missing the pace and range of employment law, she returned to the area and has found the work to be meaningful and rewarding.

In her spare time, Amy likes to attend live music events and go for walks in the Peak District.

Deborah Scales

Partner - Employment Law

Deborah is an experienced Employment and Discrimination lawyer who has had a mixed practice representing both businesses and individuals. She believes this gives her the edge when negotiating with ‘the other side’. Areas of expertise include discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, restraints of trade, TUPE, collective redundancies, employment status and IR35 issues, managing employee conflict, grievance and disciplinary investigations, and negotiating severance packages (on both sides of the fence). With the explosion in remote working, Deborah has been advising businesses on the risks and opportunities of employing workers living in overseas jurisdictions.

Deborah was Called to the Bar in 2007 and cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2011. She has sat on advisory panels including the EHRC’s panel on Religion & Belief and the Federation of Small Businesses’ Employment Law Policy Committee. She is a member of Lincoln’s Inn Denning Society after being awarded a scholarship in 2005. She joins mlpplus as an Employment Law Partner.

Outside of work, she enjoys following her local pub bands and catching up with her three adult daughters – when they are all in the same country.

Phone: 0161 926 1520

Why choose us

1. Unparalleled Expertise and Experience

We are vastly experienced, Legal-500 recommended
legal experts who live and breathe Employment Law. We provide no-nonsense, commercial advice, achieving
successful outcomes for employers.

2. Your business, your service

Your business is unique, as are the challenges it faces.
That’s why our approach is always as unique as
your business itself.

We don’t like one-size-fits-all strategies. We’re all about crafting tailored strategies that fit
your specific needs.

Communication is key. We’re fluent in plain language
and have no time for legal jargon. We believe in complete transparency and proactivity, providing you with a clear path and fixed fees so you’re never caught off guard.

3. We are proactive and keep your options open

Most businesses only call their lawyers when things go wrong. By then, it may be too late.

We know that prevention is always better than the cure. We work with you proactively to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks and ensure successful outcomes before problems arise. We save you time, money and the stress that comes with handling legal issues.

Testimonials

“Always on top of the latest changes and challenges facing businesses, providing simple and effective advice. We have peace of mind knowing that we have the back up and support of a trusted team.”

-Simon Kane, National Administration Manager, GKR Karate Admin Services LLP

“Constantly high-quality assistance in a wide-range of HR and Employment Law issues, including major projects like a redundancy process, disciplinaries and Employment Tribunal claims, down to quick small enquiries. The replies are always clear and thorough, in easy-to-understand language.”

-Simon Yates, Finance Director and Company Secretary, Rota Limited

“The experience has been fantastic, and head and shoulders above our experience with other professional service firms. They are responsive, professional, understanding of our business needs and patient with us as a client.”

-Rob Sandbach, Managing Director, Indiespring

“I thought mlp team’s advocacy at the remote Employment Tribunal hearing was excellent, as was their clear advice on the process throughout. They championed our case professionally and achieved a successful outcome, whilst maintaining a commercial approach.”

– Hospitality sector client, following our
successful defence of a claim of unfair dismissal

    Request a consultation

    Simply complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch





    Must-read Employment Law Blogs

    Key Changes to Expect Following the Employment Rights Bill
    11th Oct 2024

    Key Changes to Expect Following the Employment Rights Bill   On 10th...

    Read

    4 mins read

    The Impact of Remote Work on Employment Contracts and Policies
    20th Aug 2024

    The impact of remote work on employment contracts and policies has become...

    Read

    2 mins read

    The office workers with one person standing in front and the rest of the team sitting behind him
    What are the effects to employees of having two years of continuous employment?
    20th Aug 2024

    In this blog, we will explore the rights of an employee without...

    Read

    2 mins read

    2 colleagues hands next to the office desk with the peace of paper
    Effective Strategies for Redundancies and Business Restructuring
    20th Aug 2024

    Navigating redundancies and restructuring in the current economy requires a comprehensive understanding...

    Read

    1 min read

    Protecting Workers: TUPE, Whistleblowing Protections, Tribunals and AI
    19th Jul 2024

    TUPE and Whistleblowing Protections  Labour aims to ensure employees are not disadvantaged...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Navigating Change: Business Immigration and Collective Redundancy Consultation
    19th Jul 2024

    Business Immigration   In terms of their key pledges for business immigration,...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Balancing Work and Life: The Right to Disconnect and Menopause Action Plans
    19th Jul 2024

    The Right to Disconnect Labour plans to introduce a right for employees...

    Read

    1 min read

    Addressing Equality: Expanding Pay Gap Reporting and Redefining Worker Status
    19th Jul 2024

    Expanding Pay Gap Reporting Currently, there are obligations surrounding gender pay gap...

    Read

    1 min read

    Worker’s Rights: Trade Union Reforms and Family-Friendly Rights Under Labour’s New Deal
    19th Jul 2024

    Changes to Trade Union Activity Labour aims to simplify the trade union...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Health and Flexibility: New Policies on Statutory Sick Pay and Day-One Flexible Working
    18th Jul 2024

    Statutory Sick Pay At present, statutory sick pay is only available after...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Securing the Workforce: The Future of Zero-Hours Contracts and Unfair Dismissal Protections
    18th Jul 2024

    The Future of Zero Hours Contracts One of the key proposals is...

    Read

    2 mins read

    The King’s Speech and Employment Law
    17th Jul 2024

    This morning, in the King’s Speech, the legislative agenda for the new...

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    16 mins read

    Read

    8 mins read

    How to handle flexible working requests
    31st May 2024

    How to handle flexible working requests Flexible working requests have been a...

    Read

    15 mins read

    What would a Labour win in the 2024 UK General Election mean for Employment Law?
    30th May 2024

    What would a Labour win in the 2024 UK General Election mean...

    Read

    4 mins read

    a newspaper with the title "Expected changes in 2024"
    Employment law changes expected in 2024….and beyond
    29th Apr 2024

    Let’s have a look at the expected and anticipated employment law changes...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Is Offering a Chair to an Older Employee Age Discrimination?
    24th Apr 2024

    The recent ruling in the case of Edreira v Severn Waste Services...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Changes in the Employment Law 2024
    Employment Law Developments in 2024
    23rd Apr 2024

    In this blog, we delve into a number of significant Employment Law...

    Read

    6 mins read

    Work-From-Home Advantage: How to Design a Hybrid Model for Your Business
    18th Apr 2024

    The remote work revolution is here, and many businesses are considering how...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Q&A Session – Managing Sickness Absence
    13th Feb 2024

    Sickness absence can have a disruptive effect on a business and should...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Read

    14 mins read

    Read

    1 min read

    Baldness – The New Frontier in Workplace Harassment?
    11th Dec 2023

    Julie Sabba, an associate in the Employment Team, considers a recent Employment...

    Read

    2 mins read

    The Art of Defending Constructive Dismissal Claims
    30th Nov 2023

    Constructive dismissal refers to a situation where an employee resigns from their...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Understanding Discrimination Claims in the Employment Tribunal
    15th Nov 2023

    There are so many layers to discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Settling an Employment Tribunal Claim: The Strategic Choice?
    8th Nov 2023

    Picture this: You’re a business owner, and an Employment Tribunal claim lands...

    Read

    2 mins read

    The Employment Tribunal Process: From Start to Finish
    7th Nov 2023

    The Employment Tribunal process can appear daunting for an employer. Understanding the...

    Read

    4 mins read

    What Employers Should Know About the Employment Tribunal Process
    6th Nov 2023

    Navigating the Employment Tribunal process can be a complex and daunting task...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Common Employment Tribunal Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
    28th Oct 2023

    Employment Tribunal claims can be a legal minefield for employers, and even...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Proposed Legislation aimed at Tackling Bullying at Work
    18th Jul 2023

    Legislation that aims to make preventing bullying at work a stand-alone right...

    Read

    1 min read

    Navigating Social Media in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide
    10th Jul 2023

    The increasing use of social media presents both benefits and risks for...

    Read

    6 mins read

    What does the Philip Schofield Saga tell us about how Employers should handle Relationships at Work?
    2nd Jun 2023

    The recent controversy involving Philip Schofield of This Morning fame is hard...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    18 mins read

    The ‘Bonfire’ of EU laws
    31st May 2023

    As a result of the Brexit vote in 2016, the Government has...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Costs Awarded against Employee Claiming Work Email was Sexual Harassment
    31st May 2023

    An IT worker who sued her boss for sexual harassment, after believing...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Last Orders for Booze at Work Parties
    11th May 2023

    Julie Sabba, an Associate in MLP’s Employment team, considers a new survey...

    Read

    1 min read

    Bullying in the Workplace
    27th Apr 2023

    The issue of bullying in the workplace has come to the fore...

    Read

    10 mins read

    Sexual Misconduct Dismissal at the CBI
    13th Apr 2023

    The boss of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has been dismissed...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Are Employees Entitled to an Extra Day of Holiday for Coronation?
    6th Apr 2023

    To mark the King’s Coronation, an additional bank holiday has been announced...

    Read

    3 mins read

    The ‘hot topic’ of Menopause in the workplace
    28th Mar 2023

    The Employment Team address the increasingly topical issue of managing and supporting...

    Read

    17 mins read

    Read

    2 mins read

    The right to request a more predictable work pattern
    16th Mar 2023

    Julie Sabba, an Associate in Employment at MLP, considers The Workers (Predictable...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    16 mins read

    High Court refuses to strike out a claim for misuse of private information by an ex-employer
    22nd Feb 2023

    Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment at MLP Law, reviews the High Court’s...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Government launches consultation on calculating holiday pay
    22nd Feb 2023

    The Supreme Court decision in Harpur Trust v Brazel, (the 5.6 weeks’...

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    8 mins read

    No finding of disability discrimination following the dismissal of a disabled employee
    31st Jan 2023

    Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, examines a recent decision in the Employment...

    Read

    3 mins read

    UK Government Rejects Calls To Make Menopause A Protected Characteristic
    31st Jan 2023

    The Government has published its response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s...

    Read

    1 min read

    £50K Pay Out for Dyslexic M&S Worker Sacked for E-mail Errors
    6th Jan 2023

    A former employee of Marks and Spencer has successfully sued the company...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Council forks out almost £5,000 for “offensive comments”
    14th Dec 2022

    An employer – Rotherham Council – has been ordered to pay almost...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Right to Request Flexible Working from First Day of Employment
    6th Dec 2022

    The Government have committed to creating legislation to allow employees to make...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Everything you wanted to know about…Flexible Working Request…but were too afraid to ask!
    23rd Nov 2022

    Flexible working requests have been a useful tool for employees for many...

    Read

    7 mins read

    Working like a dog? Literally! The Pro’s and Con’s of bringing pets to the workplace
    22nd Nov 2022

    Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, considers the recent trend for pets in...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Could Manchester United Sack Ronaldo?
    16th Nov 2022

    Update: 23rd November 2022 A few days after the publication of our...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    2 mins read

    Changes in right to work checks from 1 October 2022
    26th Oct 2022

    Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, summarises the changes in right to work...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Does an employer require to consult before deciding on a pool of one?
    25th Oct 2022

    Yes, says the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in a decision last week...

    Read

    2 mins read

    EU Employment Laws to be repealed in December 2023
    7th Oct 2022

    MLP’s Head of Employment, Gareth Matthews, provides an update on a recently...

    Read

    1 min read

    Discrimination Claim after Scrapped Period Dignity Officer Role
    22nd Sep 2022

    Julie Sabba, an associate in MLP’s employment team, considers a recent news...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Is Being an Ardent Supporter of a Football Club a Characteristic Protected by Equality Law?
    16th Sep 2022

    Julie Sabba, an associate in MLP’s employment team, considers a recent employment...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Are Employees Entitled to an Extra Day of Holiday for the State Funeral?
    14th Sep 2022

    With the passing of the Queen, at the age of 96, a...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Does my business need a policy on social media use for my employees? #Yes
    24th Aug 2022

    The ever increasing popularity of social media means that your employees are...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Redundancies: A guide to getting them right as a small business
    24th Aug 2022

    Dealing with redundancies can be difficult for any business. Often it feels...

    Read

    8 mins read

    Using Probationary Periods Effectively
    24th Aug 2022

    It is estimated that around 1 in 5 new recruits fail probationary...

    Read

    5 mins read

    Read

    3 mins read

    Early Conciliation: How to Avoid the Employment Tribunal
    22nd Jul 2022

    The obvious route to avoid a hearing in the Employment Tribunal is...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Can it Ever be Too Hot to Work?
    15th Jul 2022

    As the Met Office has issued a rare amber weather extreme heat...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Religion and belief in the workplace
    14th Jul 2022

    Julie Sabba, an associate in the Employment Team, comments on the decision...

    Read

    5 mins read

    Wider range of health professionals able to grant fit notes
    23rd Jun 2022

    Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment at MLP, outlines and considers new legislation...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Advising managers: how to suspend an employee
    17th Jun 2022

      Our clients often ask us for practical tips on commonplace issues...

    Read

    12 mins read

    Employee Ownership Trust – Is it an option for you and your business?
    16th Jun 2022

    With the news that Carlton Bingo becomes the latest well known company...

    Read

    2 mins read

    The Changing Landscape of the Workplace
    15th Apr 2021

    Welcome to our series of blogs, addressing post-lockdown issues from a legal...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Are you ready to take your career to the next level?
    29th Mar 2021

    A uniquely hybrid model where you work to your own beat and...

    Read

    1 min read

    Is a “no jab, no job” policy really enforceable?
    18th Mar 2021

    We all understand that an employer cannot compel an employee to be...

    Read

    5 mins read

    Refusing to work – how might employers’ health and safety obligations affect post-lockdown plans?
    18th Mar 2021

    Prime Minster Boris Johnson’s much publicised “roadmap” out of the current lockdown...

    Read

    5 mins read

    Right to refuse to work in unsafe working environment to be extended to workers as well as employees
    18th Mar 2021

    The Government has outlined new Regulations which extend the provisions of section...

    Read

    1 min read

    Managing stress in the Workplace
    28th Apr 2021

    “There cannot be a stressful crisis next week – my schedule is...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Read

    6 mins read

    Nursery worker sacked after revealing pregnancy awarded £40,000
    17th Jun 2021

    A former nursery manager, described by an Employment Tribunal Judge as having...

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    7 mins read

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    2 mins read

    Deadlines for lodging furlough claims
    26th Nov 2020

    HMRC has made it clear that there are strict time limits for...

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    2 mins read

    Share Incentives: A Brief Overview of Employee Benefit Trusts and Employee Ownership Trusts
    16th Nov 2020

    What is an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT)? An EBT is a discretionary...

    Read

    2 mins read

    HMRC publishes guidance on the extended furlough scheme
    11th Nov 2020

    HMRC has published further guidance in respect of the now extended Coronavirus...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Share-based Incentives for Private Companies
    23rd Sep 2020

    When a company is considering share-based incentives for employees, it is key...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Read

    1 min read

    CJRS (Furlough) Scheme Extended to March 2021
    6th Nov 2020

    The Chancellor has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Short term business visitors in the post-Brexit era
    18th Feb 2021

    Following the end of the Brexit transition period, the rules on business...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Uber drivers are workers, rules UK Supreme Court
    19th Feb 2021

    Uber drivers are “workers” under UK law, so says the UK Supreme...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    6 mins read

    Read

    2 mins read

    Increased Diversity in Flexible Working
    14th Jan 2021

    Flexible working has become more popular with male employees since the beginning...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Can I dismiss an employee who refuses to be vaccinated?
    20th Jan 2021

    With the vaccine roll out underway in the UK, it is hoped...

    Read

    3 mins read

    The EU Settlement Scheme – what now?
    26th Jan 2021

    You may have seen our blog from early December 2021, in which...

    Read

    6 mins read

    The Return of Homeworking – how our Toolkit can benefit you
    9th Dec 2021

    With the Government announcing tighter restrictions to combat Covid-19, particularly the new...

    Read

    1 min read

    Fear of Catching Covid at Work is not a Protected Philosophical Belief
    7th Jan 2022

    A recent decision in the Manchester Employment Tribunal has determined that staff...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Ikea Not to Pay Full Sick Pay to Unvaccinated Staff
    19th Jan 2022

    As businesses continue to attempt to navigate the Pandemic landscape, this week...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Vaccine Refusing Care Worker was Fairly Dismissed
    26th Jan 2022

    A recent employment tribunal decision found that the dismissal of a care...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Performance Management and Remote Working
    22nd Oct 2021

    An intrinsic part of good management is ensuring that staff are performing...

    Read

    9 mins read

    Consultation on making Flexible Working the Default
    27th Oct 2021

    n response to proposals set out in the government’s Good Work Plan...

    Read

    1 min read

    Court Decision Weakens Union’s Collective Bargaining Rights
    4th Nov 2021

    In businesses that have recognised an independent trade union and are therefore...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Make the most of your mlpflex Retainer
    5th Nov 2021

    How would you like 2 free MLP Flex hours? We want the...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Post-termination restrictions: what are they and are they enforceable?
    24th Nov 2021

    Senior contracts of employment typically contain clauses to protect an employer in...

    Read

    7 mins read

    Read

    5 mins read

    Unfair Dismissal and Voluntary Redundancy
    26th Apr 2022

    In light of a case which allowed a claimant to proceed with...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Everything you ever wanted to know about Redundancies, but were too afraid to ask
    27th Apr 2022

    Dealing with redundancies can be difficult for any business. Often it feels...

    Read

    9 mins read

    What Constitutes The Last Straw In Constructive Dismissal Claims?
    6th May 2022

    In this week’s blog, an associate in MLP’s Employment Team, Julie Sabba,...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Remote and Hybrid Working and Changes to Working Practices
    13th May 2022

    Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment at MLP Law, considers the changes to...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Injury to Feelings Compensation in Discrimination Claims
    7th Apr 2022

    In light of the recent inflationary increase in compensation levels for injury...

    Read

    4 mins read

    The Principle of Horseplay and Vicarious Liability
    29th Mar 2022

    In the recent case of Chell v Tarmac Cement and Lime Limited...

    Read

    2 mins read

    The End of Covid Restrictions – What Now for Employers?
    24th Mar 2022

    Yesterday saw the remaining Covid provisions relating to SSP end, meaning that...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Government Announcement – New gratuity and tipping bill in the works
    23rd Feb 2022

    The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy...

    Read

    1 min read

    Government lifts all Covid-19 restrictions – what does this mean for your business?
    23rd Feb 2022

    On 21st February 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that, from Thursday...

    Read

    3 mins read

    ‘Worker status’ leads to successful claim for Backdated Holiday Pay
    10th Mar 2022

    Having succeeded in a previous claim, asserting that he was a worker...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    4 mins read

    Are Employees Entitled to an Extra Day of Holiday for Jubilee?
    23rd May 2022

    This year, it has been decided that the Spring bank holiday (normally...

    Read

    2 mins read

    When can an Employer have a Protected Conversation?
    14th Oct 2021

    As all good employers know, there is little to be gained from...

    Read

    3 mins read

    The Pandemic and Annual Leave
    22nd Jun 2021

    Recent travel chaos has not dimmed the desire of many to travel...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Taking the ‘Free’ out of ‘Freedom’ Day – Considerations for Employers
    19th Jul 2021

    As the 19 July, dubbed ‘Freedom Day’, approaches many employers are having...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Managing the “pingdemic” – when do my employees need to self-isolate?
    28th Jul 2021

    As COVID infection rates remain high, and the so-called “pingdemic” continues to...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Your health and safety obligations post-Freedom Day – freedom in, health and safety out?
    28th Jul 2021

    For many people, 19th July 2021 was “Freedom Day”, when the majority...

    Read

    2 mins read

    “Hybrid working” – what is it and how do you get it right?
    28th Jul 2021

    There is no denying that the COVID19 pandemic has drastically changed the...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Your post-Freedom Day workplace
    28th Jul 2021

    Keen followers of our Employment Law blogs will have seen our recent...

    Read

    4 mins read

    mlpfles – Don’t just take our word for it
    5th Aug 2021

    MLP Flex is great! It’s the perfect solution for proactively, and cost...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Can employers reduce salary for homeworking employees?
    16th Sep 2021

    With increasing numbers of staff expected to return to the workplace, many...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    1 min read

    Top Tips for Employers as Furlough Ends
    13th Sep 2021

    With the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) due to end later this...

    Read

    5 mins read

    North West Businesses amongst most Confident in UK about Economic Recovery
    3rd Sep 2021

    A survey of British business confidence has highlighted an optimistic attitude, predicting...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    4 mins read

    Compulsory Retirement and Age Discrimination
    5th Oct 2021

    Although there is no longer a default retirement age implied by law,...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about….Managing Sickness Absence…but were too afraid to ask
    17th Sep 2020

    Sickness absence can have a disruptive effect on a business and should...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Virgin Atlantic Removes Cabin Crew Make-Up Policy
    8th Mar 2019

    Virgin Atlantic recently announced that it is changing its dress code, so...

    Read

    3 mins read

    What is a protected conversation?
    4th Feb 2019

    A protected conversation is a way for your employer to have an...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Are vegans protected from discrimination?
    24th Oct 2018

    In April 2018, the Guardian published an article about the “unstoppable rise...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Settlement Agreements & the British #MeToo scandal
    25th Oct 2018

    Sir Philip Green has been named in Parliament as a businessman who...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    4 mins read

    Does my business need a policy on social media use for my employees? #Yes
    28th Jan 2019

    The ever increasing popularity of social media means that your employees are...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Mental Health Awareness Week – How can you promote well-being in your workplace?
    15th May 2019

    As an employer, mental health and well-being should be high on your...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Should you pay staff for working before or after their contractual hours?
    20th May 2019

    Employees are obliged to work the hours set out in their employment...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Common misconceptions preventing businesses from using mediation
    9th May 2019

    Mediation is a completely voluntary and confidential way of resolving workplace disputes...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Top 5 things you need to know about our innovative product mlpflex
    18th Apr 2019

    One size doesn’t fit all – MLP Flex is a tailored Legal...

    Read

    1 min read

    Debenhams – How their recent announcement signals change in the retail sector and how this might affect you.
    29th Apr 2019

    Debenhams’ recent announcement that it would be closing 22 stores, a decision...

    Read

    2 mins read

    What can you do if your employees are late due to public transport chaos?
    12th Jun 2019

    You may have seen that one of this week’s headlines is the...

    Read

    2 mins read

    GDPR and the Tendering process
    24th Apr 2018

    The new data protection regulations, or GDPR as it is most commonly...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Do I need a visa to work in the UK?
    24th May 2018

    Prior to starting a job in the UK, an employer must check...

    Read

    3 mins read

    The World Cup: Goals For Employers
    5th Jun 2018

    Just when we thought the football season was over, from Thursday 14...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Worker or Self-employed? EAT find Addison Lee cyclists to be workers and not self-employed
    11th Jun 2018

    The latest high profile case brought by individuals challenging the so called...

    Read

    3 mins read

    EEA-workers in the UK labour market: Interim Update
    27th Mar 2018

    In July 2017 the Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) was commissioned by the...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    3 mins read

    How do I bring a claim against my employer?
    14th Mar 2018

    Bringing a claim against your employer can be daunting, so we have...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    3 mins read

    GDPR: Is consent enough to allow employers to process employee’s data?
    16th Mar 2018

    As part of our series of short blogs about the General Data...

    Read

    4 mins read

    GDPR: Do employers need to update their data protection policies to make them GDPR compliant?
    20th Mar 2018

    As part of our series of short blogs about the General Data...

    Read

    1 min read

    Spitting feathers – what does the Jamie Carragher incident tell us about how employers deal with misconduct outside of work?
    20th Mar 2018

    The details of the incident involving ex-Liverpool FC player Jamie Carragher do...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Summer is here: 5 Employment issues all employers face over summer
    26th Jun 2018

    Summer has landed and temperatures are set to soar. But as employers...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    5 mins read

    How does the development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) affect legal services?
    16th Aug 2018

    There is an AI buzz in the air at the moment –...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Schoolgirl awarded £16,000 in Pizza Hut sexual harassment case
    24th Aug 2018

    A London schoolgirl has been awarded compensation by an employment tribunal in...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Baffled by right to work checks?
    28th Aug 2018

    During the first quarter of 2018, the Home Office handed out £7.7...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Beware the ‘offer of help’ from recruiters!
    11th Sep 2018

    Recruiters can be loved or loathed but if they are not approached...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Jose Mourinho v Anthony Martial and the right to paternity leave
    8th Aug 2018

    It has been reported in the media this week that Manchester United...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Retrospective sleep-in payments worth £400m put to bed
    3rd Aug 2018

    An Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision that a care worker working for...

    Read

    2 mins read

    My employees are resigning, what can I do?!
    16th Jul 2018

    It’s been another interesting week for the Prime Minister, with ministers and...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Top 7 tips for international students wanting to work in the UK
    25th Jul 2018

    Many international students at UK universities will be keen to continue their...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Employers’ guide to EU Settlement Scheme
    26th Jul 2018

    The Government is still trying to reach agreement with the EU on...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Proactive vs Reactive: use your time wisely
    30th Jul 2018

    The Telegraph has reported that one of the major ways businesses waste...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Read

    1 min read

    Everything you wanted to know about…Unfair Dismissal…but were too afraid to ask.
    7th May 2020

    This week we start our new series, examining key employment law concepts. ...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Chancellor confirms that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to continue until October 2020.
    12th May 2020

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has today confirmed that the...

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    3 mins read

    Everything you wanted to know about…Annual Leave…but were too afraid to ask!
    15th May 2020

    The legislation and rules surrounding annual leave can often be difficult to...

    Read

    5 mins read

    Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Portal Open
    20th Apr 2020

    The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme portal, allowing employers to reclaim up to...

    Read

    1 min read

    Update – Further guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
    17th Apr 2020

    The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has recently announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention...

    Read

    1 min read

    Read

    3 mins read

    Workers to be allowed to carry over 4 weeks of annual leave for 2 years
    30th Mar 2020

    The government has announced it is allowing workers to carry over up...

    Read

    1 min read

    Further guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
    6th Apr 2020

    Very early on Saturday morning (4 April 2020), further Government advice on...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Furloughing employees and your return to work.
    22nd May 2020

    An interactive Q&A session on the do’s and don’ts of the Coronavirus...

    Read

    1 min read

    Everything you wanted to know about…Disciplinary Procedures…but were too afraid to ask!
    27th May 2020

    Disciplining employees is an inevitable part of running a business and needs...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Everything you wanted to know about…Grievances…but were too afraid to ask!
    6th Aug 2020

    From time to time, every employer will receive a grievance from one...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Everything you wanted to know about…Redundancy…but were too afraid to ask!
    16th Jul 2020

    No business likes making redundancies. However, when it becomes necessary to do...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – how will the scheme work between June and October 2020?
    1st Jun 2020

    Throughout May we heard a lot of talk about changes to the...

    Read

    3 mins read

    How to calculate your claim for flexibly furloughed employees.
    15th Jun 2020

    The Government has published a “flexible furlough” working example, which sets out...

    Read

    1 min read

    Everything you wanted to know about…Discrimination…but were too afraid to ask!
    18th Jun 2020

    The majority of employers strive to promote equality and diversity in their...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Chancellor’s Summer Statement – a Summary
    9th Jul 2020

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has presented his summer statement, announcing...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Q & A
    24th Mar 2020

    We are frequently being asked questions about the new Coronavirus Job Retention...

    Read

    4 mins read

    What is an NDA and why are they in the news?
    12th Jul 2019

    You may have seen many headlines recently discussing NDAs. The abbreviation stands...

    Read

    1 min read

    BBC taken to tribunal over unequal pay
    7th Nov 2019

    Samira Ahmed, presenter for the BBC, has claimed that the BBC are...

    Read

    1 min read

    Footballer appealing decision to dismiss him over a car crash which left him injured – while his two colleagues were fined.
    11th Nov 2019

    Richard Keogh, a 33-year-old footballer, has had his contract terminated by Derby...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Cricket Australia has introduced maternity leave for the first time – how do your maternity rights compare?
    18th Nov 2019

    Prior to the new maternity policy, which has been three years in...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    3 mins read

    Pochettino shown the red card by Spurs: the law on unfair dismissal
    22nd Nov 2019

    On Wednesday evening Mauricio Pochettino was sacked as Tottenham’s manager after five...

    Read

    3 mins read

    Political pledges and proposed policies on Employment Law
    3rd Dec 2019

    In one of our previous articles on 21 November, we detailed some...

    Read

    2 mins read

    The clown in the room – The right to be accompanied to meetings in the UK
    17th Sep 2019

    But even if an employee thought it was a good idea to...

    Read

    1 min read

    Encouraging employee-commitment through long service benefits
    12th Aug 2019

    Employee benefits are non-cash provisions that are of financial value and cost...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Judge rules against employee who lost job over transgender tweets
    20th Dec 2019

    Is a belief that there are two biological sexes in humans, and...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Coronavirus: Workers will receive statutory sick pay from first day off work
    4th Mar 2020

    Boris Johnson has today announced that workers in the UK will be...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Advice for Employers during the Coronavirus Outbreak
    18th Mar 2020

    Coronavirus: New SSP Regs re self-isolation   The Statutory Sick Pay (General)...

    Read

    4 mins read

    Government to pay up to 80% of wages in Coronavirus outbreak:
    20th Mar 2020

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak has this evening announced unprecedented economic measures to help...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Read

    2 mins read

    Former investment banker wins age discrimination case against Citigroup Inc.
    20th Jan 2020

    Mr Niels Kirk, a former investment banker at Citibank, was unfairly dismissed...

    Read

    2 mins read

    Do I have to offer flexible working?
    5th Feb 2020

    As we continue to progress towards an ever more modern working world,...

    Read

    4 mins read