Search

How can we help?

Business Employment

Industrial relations & trade unions

All companies need to be prepared for the unexpected, we can help organisations identify and prepare and provide a rapid response to industrial relations issues, whilst also strengthening employee engagement.

We have a proven track record in collective employment relations law and strategy, crisis management and contingency planning, and industrial disputes.

Success may be measured in the way a business reacts to a crisis. Knowing how the business will react in a crisis to protect its reputation, assets, stakeholders and commercial interests is vital. We have a wealth of experience assisting companies in early-stage contingency planning through to response on the day a crisis occurs.

We are highly experienced in dealing with industrial disruption, including union negotiations, strike management and avoidance, contingency planning and management negotiation training. We are also conscious that there is an increasing trend for the approach of unions to be more sophisticated and international, focusing on campaigns that target reputation and apply stakeholder pressure using social media and PR rather than just strikes.

In addition we can provide specialist industrial relations consultants to support your existing HR resource through our subsidiary HR company, Forbury People Limited, and deliver industrial relations training from foundation to strategic levels.

An exceptional balance of expertise and personality.”

Legal 500

Key contacts

Monica Atwal

Managing Partner

View profile

+44 118 960 4605

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

art
  • 24 November 2017
  • Employment

Failing to evidence right to work is not an excuse to dismiss an employee

In Baker v Abellio London Ltd, the EAT overturned the ET’s original finding of a fair dismissal for illegality. The ET had accepted that a Jamaican national with the right to live and work in the UK was fairly dismissed after his employer had suspended, and eventually dismissed him, after failing to provide documentary evidence of his right to work.

art
  • 24 November 2017
  • Employment

Union bids for recognition with end user not employer

This week a trade union, IWGB, has applied for statutory recognition to represent a group of receptionists, security officers and porters who work at the University of London even though these workers are employed by Cordant Security, a facilities management company with the contract to provide services to the University.

art
  • 17 November 2017
  • Employment

Pension scheme did not discriminate workers

In Dr Parker v MDU Services Ltd, the claimant alleged that her employer’s pension scheme indirectly discriminated against workers who had a combination of full and part-time service.

art
  • 17 November 2017
  • Employment

Deliveroo: Late substitution leads to a win against the run of play

The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) has finally given its decision on whether a particular group of Deliveroo riders – those in the Camden/Kentish Town area of North London who are paid per delivery – are workers of Deliveroo or are independent suppliers of services to Deliveroo.

art
  • 13 November 2017
  • Employment

Will Uber work in the area again?

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has today upheld the ET decision that when the Uber drivers were in the work area, available for work and with Uber app switched on, they were workers with rights to national minimum wage, sick pay and holiday pay.

art
  • 13 November 2017
  • Employment

Michael Sippitt comments on Uber losing UK legal appeal against drivers’ rights

Taxi-hailing firm Uber has lost its appeal on Friday (10 November) against a ruling that its drivers should be classed as workers rather than self-employed.

Clarkslegal’s innovative approach to solving complex cases is consistent; their quality standards are extremely high and their staff are efficient and friendly – overall 11/10!”

Carrol Douglas-Welsh, Head of Employee Relations – Scottish and Southern Energy