Hello! From Leah Waller – Head of Employment

Written by Leah Waller
Senior Employment Consultant Solicitor

Check out this blog post to get to know Leah Waller, our Head of Employment!

What is your name and position at Greystone Solicitors?

Hello, I am Leah and I am an Employment Solicitor and Data Protection Specialist with Greystone Solicitors.

 

What services can you provide to potential clients?

I work with both Employees and Employers, so I have the advantage of being able to play devil’s advocate and always ensuring the best outcome for my client, no matter who that is.

I work across the whole spectrum of Employment law, right through from recruitment and discrimination law, through to termination and exit packages as well as drafting Employment Contracts, Policies Staff Handbooks, and all that happens in between.

I have a passion for helping people and am author of a book explaining Maternity Pay and Maternity rights.

 

Can you tell us about some of the recent work you have carried out?

My most popular enquiries are often to help with Settlement Agreements (by both Employers and Employees), Drafting Contracts of Employment and Staff Handbooks and Drafting Terms & Conditions of Business – especially for new businesses and those employing their first member of staff wanting to ensure that everything is in order!

 

Settlement Agreements

Settlement Agreements are often used to bring an employment relationship to an end. This can happen for many reasons, especially when there is a dispute between an Employer and Employee but also on occasions of redundancy and dismissal. This is because it enables certainty for the Employer – knowing that the employee cannot bring any claims against them in relation to their employment, but also because they usually include a tax free (or largely tax free) payment to the employee in return for them waiving their employment rights.

In order to be legally binding, a Settlement Agreement must be signed by a Qualified Solicitor, or someone qualified to give such advice, and the advice received by the Employee is usually paid for by the Employer.

I can help Employer’s draft Settlement Agreements and handle negotiations on their behalf, and also advise Employees to ensure they get what is deserved and conclude the matter in a timely manner.

 

Employment Contracts

Everyone has an employment contract right?

Well, you would be surprised how many don’t or how many of those that do are not actually legally compliant!

 

The Employment Rights Act 1996 sets out exactly what your Employment Contract must include and this was updated again in April 2020. As you can imagine, I see a lot of Employment Contracts and you would be surprised how many do not cover the bare minimum of what MUST be provided. Not including such information means the employee is eligible to bring an additional claim against the employer and they can also go to a Tribunal to ask a Judge to determine the terms of their employment.

 

So, that is where I can jump in. I can review your existing contracts to ensure everything is in order and if not, help to amend them to ensure everything is legally compliant.

I can also set you up with template contracts for when you are ready to start hiring your first employees.

 

Staff Handbooks & Employment Policies

Staff Handbooks and Policies will set out all the terms of your employment that sit outside the Contract, things that you (as an Employer) may want to update without having to renegotiate the Employment Contract. This could include; holidays, absence management, grievance and disciplinaries, whistleblowing, social media, bullying & harassment, maternity, paternity & family friendly policies, flexible working, performance improvement and so many more.

I can help you decide exactly what you need for your business and get these drafted to fit you and your business as you grow.

 

Terms & Conditions of Business

Now, this isn’t strictly what you might think I would do as an Employment Solicitor, but as a business owner myself and as someone that works extremely closely with businesses and companies I know how their businesses work, how their staff work and exactly where they envisage their business going. However we know, as business owners, that whilst we may have the best intentions we do not always have the best protection in place, until something goes wrong and we desperately need it but don’t have it.

Having cast iron Terms & Conditions of Business in place to protect you and ensure you get paid on time is so important – this is where I can definitely help you.

 

What are the unique service points you offer?

I know that dealing with employment issues, whether an employer or an employee, isn’t always easy during usual working hours so I am available for early morning and evening consultations to fit around my clients. I always offer a free initial consultation and fixed prices where possible so that my clients can budget for any work that is required.

 

We act for BOTH Employers and Employees and so, if there is anything you require assistance with, our Employment Department at Greystone Solicitors offer a FREE initial consultation and are more than happy to help.

 

Call us on 01582 343453 or email on Info@GreystoneSolicitors.co.uk