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Performance & Management

Lawyers to support and guide you through performance and management issues

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Supporting businesses in performance management

Most employers will at some point need to consider the unsatisfactory performance of an employee. Furthermore, many employers and employees perceive performance management to be a negative sanction designed to ‘get the employee out’.

However, ‘effective’ performance management is the complete opposite and can have a significant and positive effect on your business.

How can performance management have a positive outcome?

Being effective in managing performance can not only increase productivity but can also increase morale and foster a culture of open communication. If managers look at performance management as something they DO to employees, confrontation is inevitable, but if viewed as a partnership, confrontation becomes collaboration.

The key to effective performance management is keeping it simple. Employers should limit key performance indicators to 3 – 5 areas which would improve an employee’s performance and focus on those. Be specific about what the employees’ objectives are and be realistic about time frames for improvement and consider training and support.

In the case of an under performing employee, employers should consider whether performance is really the issue. If poor performance is due to ill health or disability, problems with child care or caring responsibilities, or perhaps due to harassment or bullying, then employers need to proceed with caution if disciplinary sanctions are proposed.

Rebecca Dennis

I have specialised in employment law for many years. I provide consistent and risk aware advice to employers and employees alike. My experience includes both contentious and non-contentious work. My professional background is unique in that I worked for more than 20 years as a barrister providing legal advice, drafting and advocacy for my clients and more recently provided specialist trouble-shooting services on employment law and employee relations at a leading international HR outsourcing company. I have a reputation as a pragmatist and problem solver. I am now proud to lead the Employment Department at Goughs.

Popular questions

What does future planning mean?

There are several steps you can take to ensure that your loved ones are protected in case of your death or if you were ill and unable to make your own decisions.

How can Goughs support me with later life planning?

Trying to plan your legal affairs and finances for later life can include

Minimising your Inheritance Tax liability
Sorting out pre-paid funeral plans
Setting up trusts for your family and protecting assets for future generations through a Will.
Appointing Attorneys to manage your financial affairs and to make health and welfare decisions on your behalf by Lasting Powers of Attorney is also an important part of the process.

How can you help my family with future planning?

The strategy will be different for each family, due to their unique circumstances and views on life. Nonetheless, the best advice is to plan early and have the right practical legal advice.

Why use Goughs?

We are specialists in elderly and future planning with a long established reputation in Wiltshire.

Our future planning team includes lawyers belonging to Solicitors for the Elderly who are also Dementia Friends or Dementia Champions

It may sound contradictory, but evidence has suggested that employees are far more engaged, and therefore far more productive for you and your business, when undergoing a process of performance management. You should be considering a 4 stage process, planning, coaching, reviewing and action. The feedback should be constructive and helpful with the aim of keeping the employee in the business and developing them. However, we understand it doesn’t always work this way and would encourage you to get advice before beginning the process, to ensure you are doing the best you can and are therefore fully protected should things not work out positively.

At Goughs, our employment specialists can draft and tailor contracts and policies to fit your business needs, whilst ensuring they are reasonable and enforceable. We can help with both writing and reviewing existing contracts and advising on breach of employment contract issues. We have built up many years of experience and our team not only offer advice to businesses but also advise on broader business planning issues and sit on various advisory boards, ensuring that our advice and expertise looks beyond the contract itself and ensures all advice really is in the best interest of the future of the business.

Nationally recognised and accredited 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.

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