Employment Law Advice for Employees

If you are having difficulty with an employer and feel that your legal rights are not being respected, we can help you work out your next steps. At Clough & Willis, we provide expert employment law advice and guidance on all legal matters affecting employees, helping you ensure your rights are always protected. 

The experienced team of employment law solicitors at Clough & Willis offer industry-leading advice on claims for unfair dismissal, employment discrimination or any other related matters, helping you determine the best method of escalating your dispute and making a successful claim. 

Whatever your circumstances may be, our legal experts are here to provide clear, effective advice, based on a strong understanding of employment law and a dedication to securing the best possible outcome for you. 

To speak to a qualified employment law solicitor, contact our experts in Bolton and Bury by calling 0800 083 0815, or fill out an online enquiry form and we will be in touch at a time that is convenient for you.

How we can help

The employment law solicitors at Clough & Willis has considerable experience in all aspects of employment law, including part-time worker regulations, unfair dismissal law, rules on discrimination and redundancy rights. No matter the details of your case, we will be able to provide educated guidance on what to do next. 

When you are having a problem at work, we can provide employment law advice on how best to handle the situation, what legal protections are in place to support you, and how to formally take the matter up with your employer. If the company has breached any aspect of employment law, Clough & Willis can provide a realistic appraisal of any potential claim, and represent you throughout the process. 

Whether you are looking to negotiate a settlement, secure improved working conditions or take your claim to an employment tribunal, our employment law solicitors will support you at every step. We understand that you may be facing a difficult time, which is why we work to make the process as stress-free as possible, explaining each aspect of your case to you and simplifying what could otherwise be a complicated legal process.

Our services

UK Employment law is a broad area of legislation, with amendments to the law regularly compelling businesses to protect the rights of those working for them in new ways. When employers fail to honour their legal responsibilities, it may be necessary to make a claim. 

Our highly qualified and professional team of employment law solicitors can advise you on any employment law matter, including: 

This list is not exhaustive, and our team of employment law solicitors will be happy to discuss your circumstances and provide legal support even if they do not fall into the categories above.

Why choose Clough & Willis?

When employment disputes arise, it is often valuable to seek legal advice from an employment solicitor. These disputes can be complicated, and employees are often unaware of the potential outcomes they could face or the reasons that they might need legal support.

At Clough & Willis, our employment law experts can offer confidential advice and provide representation on a wide variety of employment issues. Thanks to our wide-ranging knowledge and expertise, we can tailor our services to your specific needs and help to ensure you achieve the outcome you desire.

We offer a free initial consultation, during which we can discuss your circumstances and identify whether or not there is a case to answer. If you need legal representation during a dispute, we can estimate the costs you could incur and discuss the possible outcomes that are likely in your specific case.

As well as guidance during a dispute, our employment lawyers can help with discrimination claims and other employment claims. In some cases, your contract may detail the procedures through which you can resolve disputes with your employer, and we can advise you on how to fulfil these requirements where they apply.

What are the most common reasons for employment disputes?

There are several circumstances under which an employee may need the services of employment solicitors. Accessing employment law services in cases where you are in a dispute with your employer is often the best way to ensure your rights are upheld.

In some cases, you may be owed compensation as a result of your treatment by an employer. It is important to make a claim in these cases, not only because you are due compensation - this can also help to identify discriminatory practices and ensure that other people do not face the same issues that you have dealt with.

Unfair dismissal

One of the most common disputes involves unfair dismissal, in which an employee is let go without a justifiable reason. Any employee who has worked for their employer for at least two years must not be dismissed without a fair reason. If you have been dismissed without a fair reason being given, if the reason you were given does not seem sufficient grounds for dismissal, or if your employer failed to follow reasonable procedures, you may be able to make an unfair dismissal claim for compensation.

Discrimination

Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or applicant unfavourably on the basis of a protected characteristic. It is illegal to discriminate against anyone based on the grounds of a protected characteristic, including:

• age
• sex
• sexual orientation or gender reassignment
• race, colour, or ethnic or national origin
• religion or beliefs
• marital status
• pregnancy
• disability

Discrimination can manifest in various ways, including hiring decisions, promotions, and terminations. If you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of one or more of the characteristics listed above, you may be able to take legal action and secure compensation.

Harassment

Workplace harassment can take many forms, including bullying, sexual harassment, online harassment, misuses of power and harassment based on the protected characteristics listed above.

Harassment creates a hostile work environment, and conduct can become so severe that it affects an employee's ability to perform their job. If you are facing any type of harassment in the course of your employment, or quit a job because you were being harassed, speak to our team today about your eligibility to make a claim.

Pay and work rights disputes

Pay disputes with employers are unfortunately common. They may involve employers failing to pay you the money you are owed, being required to work more than the legal maximum number of hours, or being paid less than the UK minimum wage. There are many other ways in which an employer might fail to uphold the rights of an employee. It may be worthwhile to look up the specific rights enjoyed by employees in the UK, or to speak to expert employment lawyers if you are concerned that your rights may have been violated.

Breach of contract

Employment contracts may be written agreements, or implied through oral agreements or workplace practices. In most cases, the employment contract will contain specific provisions and outline the responsibilities of both parties.

Disputes may arise when an employer fails to uphold the terms of an employment contract. For example, they may fail to provide agreed-upon benefits or to follow specified termination procedures. If you are concerned that your contract has been breached - whether you are an employee, a freelancer, a contractor or someone else with a formal arrangement to work for a business - you should contact our employment solicitors today.

Victimisation

Victimisation occurs when an employer takes an adverse action against an employee, because the employee engaged in legally protected activities like bringing proceedings, making allegations or giving evidence of workplace harassment or discrimination.

If you have been victimised by an employer in this way, you may be able to take legal action against them to ensure that your rights are upheld.

Whistleblowing

Whistleblowers are employees who report illegal or unethical activities within their organisation. These employees are protected by law from losing their job or being treated unfairly as a result of whistleblowing against their employer.

Whistleblowers can often face victimisation because they spoke up, meaning that these types of disputes are often closely related. By working with expert employment lawyers, you can create a safe environment in which to report wrongdoing on the part of your employer.

If you need employment law services relating to any of the issues listed above, or any other employment matters, contact our specialist employment solicitors to discuss your circumstances today.