Employees often approach HR First for guidance in seeking to resolve an employment issue at work. Prior to seeking our support employees have often suffered months of worry and frustration.
When an employee has a concern about a work related matter it can be difficult to find good timely legal advice, cost effectively. Although an employee can feel very strongly about an issue, a good place to start to progress the issue to a resolution is to get clear and unambiguous understanding of the legal position. Our HR consultants explain the legal position, setting realistic expectations and a road map of the steps that might need to be taken to resolve the issue.
Employee Employment Rights at Work
Some of the employment rights clients seek our advice on include advice concerning pay, deductions from pay and working conditions. Rights in regard to redundancy proposals, outplacement support , proposals to change duties or the work location, relocation proposals, maternity, paternity and parental rights, threats of termination of employment or disciplinary action, flexible working requests, changes due to health issues, and concerns about bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Grievances at Work
Our approach is to understand and advise the employee of the legal position in accordance with the statutory framework and the employee’s rights under the employment contract. Support could involve preparing correspondence on behalf of the employee and preparing the employee to present a case to the employer. If appropriate and requested we may liaise with the employer directly if required.
Often employees are not looking to leave the employment of the employer, but seeking to resolve an issue. We recognise that where an employment dispute arises, it is important to handle the matter sensitively to preserve a good employment relationship for the future. Our philosophy is to effectively assert the employee’s concerns and mediate to a resolution of the issue . This approach normally results in better a outcome for all those involved.
Raising an issue at work is not easy, but feeling unhappy and allowing a situation to fester becomes increasingly more difficult to bear, the longer the issue remains unresolved.
Realistically there are occasions when although the employee’s position is reasonable, the employer is unwilling to respect the employee’s legal rights. Where this is the case, the employee may need to escalate the matter. Where this is the case matters may need to escalate to our Employment Dispute and Resolution Service, or engaging our Employment Tribunal Representation Service.
Employees may find our explanation about Settlement Agreements of interest.