Solicitors for employment issue

Slainte

Slainte

Quizmeister
Hi
I'm taking redundancy due to business relocation but have agreed to stay with the company for a fixed period time during the relocation transition period.
The business who are my new employers for this time period, are insisting I arrange a solicitor to inspect my exit paperwork. This is the first occasion I have ever had to do this, and the company are unwilling to move forward to discuss retention package etc until I instruct a solicitor. Can anyone recommend one in the local area at all please?

thanks
 
littleme

littleme

250,000th poster!
Hmmm I've never heard of having to involve a solicitor, seems very strange but I'm guessing things have changed since my husband was made redundant.....

@tek-monkey was there any mention of this kind of thing at your place?
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Nothing at all, I got the impression they'd rather I didn't talk to one! I talked to citizens advice, who in turn had me talk to ACAS. They told me where I stood, which wasn't clear before, and then I just stood my ground and kept my job.

This is a different scenario though in that you are looking to leave. Is it a small firm perhaps, no HR department? Maybe they want to make sure everything is legal and don't know themselves? If it is a new company employing you through the transition maybe they are worried you'll have some rights they don't want you to have on exit? I'd go to CAB myself.
 
Jade-clothing

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
Slainte said:
Hi
I'm taking redundancy due to business relocation but have agreed to stay with the company for a fixed period time during the relocation transition period.
The business who are my new employers for this time period, are insisting I arrange a solicitor to inspect my exit paperwork. This is the first occasion I have ever had to do this, and the company are unwilling to move forward to discuss retention package etc until I instruct a solicitor. Can anyone recommend one in the local area at all please?

thanks
Click to expand...

It depends on how the job ends as to whether you need a solicitor. I haven't heard of it for a redundancy but if its a 'Settlement agreement' - as in, your job no longer exists so they pay you to basically leave, which is generally a 12 week notice period, then by law you do have to have a solicitor witness you sign the settlement papers. Just been through this ourselves.
I would highly recommend Norman cheetham in Penkridge. Incidentally if it is a settlement agreement rather than a redunancy the employer has to pay some or all of the legal fees for you seeing a solicitor.
 
John Marwood

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
I'm glad you have a recommendation

Often it can be better to go to a larger regional firm where the collective knowledge and experience is greater than a small town practice and therefore any possible higher charges pay for themselves
 
Slainte

Slainte

Quizmeister
Thanks for the help, I find it very strange. The firm that has retained me until March are a large global firm, which I just find odd that they are requesting this. they are saying it is for my full understanding of all the exit paperwork.
Thanks for the recommendation Jade
 
littleme

littleme

250,000th poster!
Sounds even stranger.....are they making you redundant, or are they treating it as if you have accepted a new job with them? It can affect any redundancy payment if they are.. .
 
proactive

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
It's perfectly normal practice, given the circumstances and your employer is actually looking out for you by insisting you get the correct legal advice so you know exactly where you stand.

@John Marwood is spot on with regard to choosing a solicitor.
 
arthur

arthur

Nixon Garden Neatness
My suggestion is first talk to ACAS Helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free support and advice on employment rights They are experts in employment law but you will need to know some facts about your case before they can advise you.

The key questions would be:

How long have you worked for them + what is your age

Is it actually redundancy or a compromise agreement?

What offer is on the table from the company?

What is your notice period?

Are you owed anything else such as outstanding holidays or holiday pay?

Why have you not been TUPED across to the new company?

And the key question – what do you want?


It’s easy to find out the correct amount of redundancy payment entitlement from the ACAS web site.

BUT if it is a ‘compromise agreement’ then it is always advisable to seek legal advice (Roger Price Pickering n Butters will do an half hour free) but ask about any further costs before you engage him to look over a compromise agreement.

You should not need a solicitor for a straight forward redundancy because all redundancies have a set legal procedure that must be followed and if the employer does not follow the procedure then the redundancy (which is technically a dismissal can be unfair and wrongful.

For advice on if your employer has followed the correct redundancy process you can either read up on the ACAS web site or go to Citizens advice and talk it through with them
 
Slainte

Slainte

Quizmeister
@TekMonkey.... I think I agree with your sentiments in regards in regards of any further complications down the line, come end of march

Basic outline of situation, company I work for, brought out, and relocated 60 miles away, I've got a new job with them, but transferring within the company, so years of service still valid under the transfer agreement, it was agreed that under a 3 month trial period we could decline the job and still walk away with full redundancy under the original business closure, which I have now opted to do so.
 
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