Emplaw Brochure document A5

Employment Law & HR services

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“Panasonic Europe has engaged Flint Bishop as a legal partner. In my role as HRD, we refer challenging employee relations cases for advice and guidance from Flint Bishop. I have found the service and quality of advice to be promptly and expertly delivered. As legal advisers, Flint Bishop are thorough and pragmatic in offering advice and processes the in depth knowledge and expertise to support a complex organisation such as ourselves.” Richard Mills Director, UK and European Talent Management

Panasonic Europe Ltd

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Contents

FBe Introduction Page 5

About Us & Accreditations Page 6

Support & Service Page 7

How much does our support cost? Page 8

What’s on the document bank? Page 9

Fixed cost Employment Tribunal Page 10

Employment law protection Insurance Page 11

Training Page 12

The Employment Team Page 13 & 14

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“I will always recommend Flint Bishop if anyone says they are looking for Employment advice. FBsupport has really helped me build my confidence in dealing with all sorts of employment issues. At first, I felt there was a lot I didn’t know about the law, but now when I call the service I am confident that I know the answer at least 70% of the time – it’s nice to be able to call a professional employment lawyer to confirm it! I also like the fact I get one main point of contact to speak to – Rob Tice, Head of Employment at Flint Bishop. And, if Rob is not available, there are other main contacts at the firm who I can also speak to that are familiar with our business and how we work. Their support is allowing me to focus on more transformational HR work within the business rather than just transactional matters.” Clair Channer-Eyley HR Manager Owen Taylor

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Introduction

Before you make a decision, below are some reasons why we think we’re unique from standard HR/Employment law providers: 1. You will get a dedicated solicitor. This is important for two reasons.

1.1. The first is that you are able to build a relationship with your solicitor. 1.2. The second is so that you can get consistent advice.

2. The style of advice.

2.1. We won’t give you vague advice. 2.2. We will understand the facts then risk assess the options for you. 2.3. We will then give commercial solutions for you to consider.

3. You will get a response within 24 hours (and usually the same day). 4. We are experienced in dealing with HR and Employment Law and have a

dedicated team who advise companies of all types and sizes. 5. You will get regular updates on employment law via e-mail. 6. Onsite training (at extra cost) can be arranged for either half days or full days. 7. We offer fixed costs. Hence you will know what you are going to pay over a

year and can budget for it. Our prices are competitive. We work with a large number of companies from small independent firms to large multi-national companies which are household names. If you have any questions about our services, feel free to call me either by email or telephone. [email protected] 01332 226 178

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About us and our Accreditations

Over the years our work, passion for client care and innovative approach to providing legal services has been recognised by both the legal community and wider business fraternity. Based in Derby, we are one of the largest law firms in the East Midlands with 23 partners and over 200 staff. As a full service law firm, we provide legal advice in all commercial disciplines. The quality of advice we give to clients and the innovative ways in which we deliver it has won us many awards and accreditations. Below details some of our recent success:

The Law Society’s Practice Management Standard Lexcel - attained 1999

Quality management systems BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 attained 2011

Environmental Management BS EN ISO 14001 : 2004 - attained 2011

Investors in People Award - attained 1997

Information Security ISO/IEC 27001 : 2005 - attained September 2013

inners of ‘Innovative Firm of the Year’ at the Halsbury Legal Awards 2013, including the Employment + HR ‘fixed cost packages’

“It’s a measure of our confidence in Flint Bishop LLP that we recently re-awarded them the contract for the provision of certain external legal services, following ten years successful partnership. The occasion was used as an opportunity for a thorough review of the services Flint Bishop LLP supplied, and to test them against other suppliers. Flint Bishop LLP scored and continue to score highly, both against those other suppliers, particularly in value for money, and with our own internal users and I had no hesitation in recommending to the board that we continue to use and develop our partnership with Flint Bishop LLP” Mike Westcott-Rudd Head of Corporate Legal Services HM Land Registry

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Support & Service Why should you and your company let us support you with HR? We now support many companies of various types and sizes in a wide variety of sectors who have all chosen FBe as their support 'partner' - and here's why: We are legally qualified employment experts: the team are highly regarded as experts in

their field. This means that whatever the problem or issue you may have, we will have more than likely already have dealt with something similar and will be able to offer you a considered approach and solution.

When you need help, we're available: it doesn't matter how good they are if you can't get

hold of someone to ask for help when you need it. This is particularly the case in HR as matters move so quickly. We guarantee that you'll be able to speak to a member of the team the same day - a quick response time is at the core of what we do.

We give correct and consistent advice: your company will be allocated a solicitor who'll

be your main point of contact. This ensures consistency and quality of advice. We work with all sizes and types of companies: The team will get to understand your

company and how you want to work. Our experience of working with a myriad of company’s means we understand issues and how best to resolve them and support you through the process.

We could save you money: regardless of the package you choose, it's like "having a

solicitor in your office". Price wise, we're highly competitive when compared with the majority of solicitors and HR consultants.

We reduce the risks of getting an employment claim: by working with you, ensuring that

processes are followed correctly and all parties, such as trade unions, are communicated with appropriately and effectively, we help you substantially reduce the risk of a claim.

We have a long-serving team: most of our employment law solicitors trained with the

firm and qualified into the employment department. This has created a loyal and dedicated team of employment specialists. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients and the stability of our team enables us to achieve that. A close knit team that communicates well makes it easier for us to cover each other’s clients when the need arises. We provide a personal and consistent service.

We get excellent results: where other advisors tell you what you can't do, we listen to

you, get to understand the problem and what it is you'd like to achieve and then give you choices and options that will get you there in the most effective and legally compliant way.

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How much does support cost?

The Basic Costs Option One: Fixed Hours The first option is for you to buy a block of hours from us over a 12 month period. You can choose between 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours over 12 months. Any unused hours will carry over into the next month but will expire at the end of the 12 month period.

Costs for Option One Price per Month

Up to 12 hours £130 + VAT

Up to 24 hours £260 + VAT

Up to 36 hours £390 + VAT

Up to 48 hours £520 + VAT

If you exceed the allocated hours in the 12 month period, additional advice and support is available at a fixed hourly rate. We offer a number of different fixed price packages. After listening to your company’s individual needs, we can tailor a package that suits you. Option Two: Unlimited Hours Alternatively, you can purchase our ‘Unlimited Support’ from the start. This means that you’ll have unlimited access to your own dedicated solicitor and you’ll know from the outset exactly what you’re paying over a 12 month period. Prices for Unlimited Support are available upon request. Both options include:

Access to a web based document bank

Telephone access to your own dedicated solicitor

Regular legal updates

Series of employment guides Customer satisfaction survey Invitations to quarterly training

events

Document Bank Included in all options, you will have access to our bespoke employment website FBsupport. The website has been developed to assist clients with their day to day needs, help reduce the cost in seeking advice and up-skill those using the site. This site will equip your team with the processes to follow in each situation and reduce the reliance on telephone support. Importantly, the guides can provide a consistent approach to managing issues within the business. A complete list of the documents on the site can be found on the next page.

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What’s on the Document Bank?

At a Glance Guides Overview of issues to consider

At a glance guide to the rules on working time (rest breaks, holidays and opt-outs)

At a glance guide to the right to time off to care for others

At a glance guide to TUPE

At a glance guide - Agency Workers Regulations

At a glance guide - Employment Status

At a glance guide - Employee rights and industrial action

Checklist for parental leave versus dependent care leave

At a glance guide to Agency Workers Regulations

Start of Employment Documents

Application Form

Reference request

Offer letter

Junior contract

Zero hours workers contract

Standard handbook Policies

Adoption leave policy

Adverse weather policy

Capability procedure

Data protection policy

Disciplinary policies

Electronic communications policy

Equal opportunities policy

Flexible working policy

Grievance procedure

Harassment policy

Maternity policy

No smoking policy

Parental leave policy

Paternity policy

Retirement policy

Sickness and absence policy

Social Media policy

Stress policy

Whistle blowing policy

Document Guides References

Guidance on references

Guidance on the offer letter

Guidance on the junior contract

Guidance on the zero hour’s casual workers contract

Guidance on the staff handbook

During Employment Documents

Working time opt out

Holiday Request Form

Self-certification absence form

Suspension letter pending disciplinary process

Letter inviting employee to an investigation meeting

Letter inviting employee to a disciplinary hearing

Letter giving a verbal warning

Letter giving a first written warning

Letter giving a final written warning

Letter confirming action short of dismissal

Letter confirming dismissal with notice

Letter confirming dismissal without notice (gross misconduct)

Letter inviting an employee to attend an appeal hearing

Letter giving the outcome of an appeal

Letter inviting employee to a grievance meeting

Letter giving the outcome of a grievance hearing and offering the right of appeal

Maternity Letters

How to Guides General guidance for managers conducting meetings

Conducting grievances

Dismissing an employee with less than 12 months service

Managing misconduct

Managing poor performance/capability issues

Managing a redundancy situation

Managing retirement

Managing sickness absence

Guidance on obtaining medical reports

Managing a flexible working request

Managing a request for training

End of Employment Documents

Standard compromise agreement

Compromise agreement letter

Standard reference Document Guides

Compromise agreement guidance

References How to Guides

Recruitment Checklist

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Fixed Cost Employment Tribunal Matrix

Claim type Cost of preparing ET3

Cost of preparing disclosure and bundle of documents

Cost of preparing witness statements

Cost per hearing day

Wages £600 £650 £1250 £800*

Unfair dismissal (excl. constructive dismissal)

£750 £2200 £2500 £1250*

Discrimination (cases involving 1-4 witnesses)

£1000 £3500 £4000 £1750*

Discrimination (cases involving 5 witnesses or more)

£160 per hour. Fee estimate to be provided at the start of each matter.

£1750*

Other claims not covered above

£160 per hour. Fee estimate to be provided at the start of each matter.

£1750*

Other standard preparation stages

Preparation for / Attendance of telephone Case Management Discussion (CMD)

£400 per CMD

CMD attendance in person £160 per hour

Supplemental ET3’s £500 per ET3

Responding to any further and better particulars

£500 per response

Preparation for any pre-hearing review (PHR)

Wages £1000 per PHR

Unfair dismissal (excl. constructive)

£1250 per PHR

Discrimination £1750 per PHR

Other £160 per hour – quote in advance

Cost per hearing day of a PHR As per the cost per hearing day of the full hearing in the table above

Cost of instructing experts for litigation (e.g. medical experts)

£500 per report (the cost of any report is additional and will be met by you)

Cost of preparing response to a discrimination questionnaires

£1000 per questionnaire

Settlement negotiations and drafting the settlement agreement

£500

Any preparation not covered above £160 per hour

* Unless otherwise agreed (for example, should you have a specific barrister you would prefer to use, or if Flint Bishop suggest that a particularly complex/high value case warrants a more experienced barrister). All prices quoted exclude VAT which will be charged at the prevailing rate.

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Employment Insurance

Our HR and employment law service achieves two things. It reduces the risks of claims but, as importantly, we find it improves the way clients deals with HR achieving long term benefits. In the unfortunate event you receive an employment tribunal claim, we can defend those proceedings for you either at an hourly rate of for an agreed fixed cost. Many clients want the security of Tribunal Insurance, so can we put you in touch with the appropriate person. Simply follow our straightforward advice and any legal costs or awards of compensation will be covered by insurance (subject to policy terms and conditions).

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Training

In-house training days As they saying goes “time is money” and whether your team is large or small it can often be more cost effective to have training delivered at your premises at a time which suits you.

As a result we are pleased to offer our in-house training programme. We can deliver training to any size of group at any level of management. We are always happy to deliver training in evenings and weekends as well as during normal business hours. Simply let us know what your requirements are. Why choose us? It goes without saying that we are experts in our field. Our speakers have numerous years of experience in employment law and in delivering employment law training. However, you would expect that from us – what makes us different is that we don’t just want to stand in the front of the room and talk to you for hours on end (we don’t love the sound of our own voices that much!). Our in-house training is delivered in two ways:

Standard training delivered in-house; and Bespoke training.

Standard training We are able to deliver any of our intensive training days to you at your premises. Bespoke training We can tailor training packages to suit your needs and the type of staff you want to deliver training to. To give you some ideas, the types of packages we have offered in the past include: Employment law basics for line

managers General employment law update Recruitment When is a reasonable adjustment no

longer reasonable? How to deal with grievances Introduction to the Equality Act 2010 Managing an ageing workforce Managing redundancies

Changing terms and conditions TUPE Training of shop floor staff on

expected behaviour standards (as part of a zero tolerance initiative on aggressive behaviour)

Managing ill health Managing poor performance Managing misconduct

However, we are happy to work with you to cover topics which are relevant to your business.

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The Employment Team

Robert Tice

Partner & Head of Department

Ciara Millar Associate Solicitor

Laura Evans

Associate Solicitor

Emma Cooper Associate Solicitor

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The Employment Team

Andrew Nicklin

Solicitor

Natalie Peacock

Solicitor

Beth Bearder

Solicitor

Jessica Hannan

Senior HR Advisor

Dedicated Solicitor & Account Manager As a client, you will be managed by a dedicated Solicitor. Rob Tice will also be available for advice and support where required. Paul Whittingham will be your Account Manager and can handle questions outside of legal/HR advice.

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Notes

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Employment Law & HR services Flint Bishop LLP St. Michael’s Court St. Michael’s Lane Derby DE1 3HQ Tel: 01332 340211 Fax: 01332 207 601 A list of partner’s names is available for inspection at the address above. Flint Bishop LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales. Registered number OC317931. Registered office: St Michael’s Court, St Michael’s Lane, Derby DE1 3HQ. Authorised & regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.