There are many challenges when starting and scaling up a new business. You must ensure that you provide your staff with the correct employment contracts and ensure you have a staff handbook in place.
Employees must be provided with their written terms of employment before the date their employment commences. There are different types of contracts of employment including fixed-term and casual. There are legal requirements when preparing a contract of employment as to what the contract must include and a failure to include the required terms may give rise to an employment tribunal claim.
A staff handbook is a collection of policies and procedures which set out the standard of behaviour expected by staff, assist with the running of the business and to protect the employer by making sure the legal rights associated with the employment relationship are understood. It will usually include the business’ disciplinary and grievance procedures, sickness/incapacity policy and family leave rights. For Directors, a standard contract of employment may not be suitable and a Directors’ Service Agreement (DSA) should be used. We draft DSA’s to define the parameters of responsibility and the relationship between the business and its directors.
You must ensure that you keep on top of the ever-changing employment law legislations so that you are protected against potential employment tribunal claims. At Davenport Solicitors, we understand the complexity of these challenges and we understand that time and costs are limited resources for a start-up or small businesses. We have therefore customised our Start-up Employment Law Advice fixed fee package to help you navigate the complex minefield of employment law and manage the costs associated with it. The Start-up Employment Law Advice fixed fee package is provided on a fixed monthly fee with no hidden costs.
At the outset, we will discuss your start-up business requirements and advise you on your legal obligations. We will then help you put in place the required documents to ensure that you are compliant with UK employment legislation.
Outsourcing your HR to one of our tailored start-up packages are designed to:
We support start-up businesses of all sizes, including UK scaleups, Tech Start-ups, Entrepreneurs and Growth Companies. Our experienced employment lawyers work with start-ups and small business on all employment law matters, including advising on employee rights at the start of the relationship and after two years.
In addition to assisting start-ups by drafting their employment documents, we also help them with perfecting their onboarding process. An onboarding process ensures that employees have the right tools for the job as well as a clear understanding of the business and the expectations upon them. It includes ensuring job offer letters are provided, right to work checks are conducted, employment documentation is provided and that an induction is carried out. We ensure that employers have considered the practicalities associated with hiring, including any hardware required, the organisation of software training and internal processes.
We also advise businesses through their recruitment stage to ensure they’re compliant with the law, as acts of discrimination can take place during the interviewing process, which may give rise to an employment tribunal claim.
As businesses grow and scale up, they may want to add more policies to their staff handbook for added protection. We regularly review our client’s employment documents to ensure they are compliant with the ever-changing employment law and to ensure they are drafted to suit the businesses growing needs. We assist businesses future growth and discuss their employment needs, for example, whether a consultant may be more appropriate than an employee. Consultants are more flexible than employees and do not accrue the same rights, however, they may demand higher fees. Where a consultant is required, we can draft a tailored consultancy agreement to protect the business.
We also offer training on various topics which enables a business to identify and mitigate potential issues in the workplace and provide an understanding of the legal obligations of the employer.
Where businesses want to expand by recruiting a migrant worker, we can advise and assist them in applying for a sponsor licence.
Do you have a question? For a free 30 minutes consultation, get in touch with our trusted and experienced start-up lawyers today. Call us on 020 7903 6888 or request a call back at a time convenient for you. You can also email us at contact@davenportsolicitors.com. We aim to reply within 24 hours.
We would be happy to assist you!
Dealing with workplace issues need not be challenging. We are here to help take away the pain associated with being an employer so doing business becomes easier.
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