Employment law, management & business advice

Leading employment law specialists providing advice and guidance for employers

Effectively using engagement and procedures to resolve workplace disputes

Employment law can be a potential minefield and an area of law subject to constant change. Litigation is not only costly, but can be a major distraction. Difficult situations are sometimes unavoidable which is why getting the right advice from the start is paramount.

Our team has a proactive, can-do, approach to employment matters. Our aim is to support you in running your business and provide you with tailored, comprehensive and practical advice.

We are here to help put the building blocks in place to avoid things going wrong in the first-place, but if they do, we will respond quickly and effectively. 

Dismissals & Severance Deals

Training & Support

Performance & Management

Employment Contracts

Disciplinaries & Grievances

Change Management

The Goughs approach to employment law

We listen to our clients and provide creative outcomes to any employment situation. Our refreshing and innovative approach will ensure that you have the information you need to make the right commercial decisions for your business and your people.

Effective employee relations

Your employment experts since 1882

Most popular business employment questions

Well in a nutshell:

Firstly, the employee should raise the grievance in writing.

The employer should hold a meeting and investigate the complaint. At the meeting the employee is legally entitled to be accompanied by a fellow work colleague or a trade union representative if they are a member of a union.

The employee should be given sufficient time to discuss the nature of their grievance, and if appropriate the meeting should be adjourned for further investigations to take place.

After the grievance has been fully investigated a further meeting should be held to enable the employer to communicate its decision; this should also be followed up in writing. If the employee remains unhappy, they have a right of appeal.

Contracts go far beyond the legal necessity, they provide protection and peace of mind to all parties so everyone knows where they stand.

Redundancy pay is calculated based on the employees length of service and age. The length of service is capped at 20 years. The weeks pay is also subject to a statutory cap, which usually increases annually.

Subject to a statutory act and the definition of ‘a weeks pay’ an employee gets:

1.5 weeks pay for each full year of employment after their 41st birthday
a weeks pay for each full year of employment after their 22nd birthday
half a weeks pay for each full year of employment up to their 22nd birthday

Courts and Tribunals have long recognised the rights and needs of a business to reorganise and restructure. Such reorganisation could include a reduction in staff, changes to terms and conditions, or perhaps a change in the way an item is produced.

If an employee refuses to go along with a business reorganisation then in certain circumstances an employee can be fairly dismissed.

 

Nationally recognised and accredited law firm

Chambers & Partners

The team is exceptional at grasping complex matters.

Legal 500

Goughs gives outstanding customer satisfaction. They are very approachable, reliable, courteous and informed. I would recommend Goughs to anyone.

Chambers & Partners

The team is extremely thorough and client-focused. They are willing to go the extra mile and think outside the box.

J B, Melksham

Very helpful, efficient friendly staff. My business matter was dealt with very well. I would be happy to recommend Goughs Solicitors.

Meet our Head of Employment

Rebecca Dennis
Partner and Head of Employment

Partner and Head of Employment

Why choose Goughs?

Local since 1882, with an excellent reputation

First-class, effective service

Largest solicitors in Wiltshire

Seven offices throughout the county

Nationally accredited law firm

Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners

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Our Offices

The Strand, Calne
Wiltshire, SN11 0JU
01249 812086

Chippenham
Mill House, 1 New Road
Chippenham, Wiltshire
SN15 1EJ
01249 444499

Corsham
23 Pickwick Road, Corsham,
Wiltshire, SN13 9BH
01249 712193

Devizes
Ramsbury House
30 Market Place, Devizes
Wiltshire, SN10 1JG
01380 726913

Melksham
5 Bath Road, Melksham
Wiltshire, SN12 6LN
01225 703036

Trowbridge
2 Fore Street, Trowbridge
Wiltshire, BA14 8HX
01225 762683

Greenways
Unit 5
Greenways Business Park
Bellinger Close
Chippenham
SN15 1BN
01249 475880

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