Employment Law

Employment problems can be disruptive, stressful, and damaging—especially in values-led organisations.

You may be facing challenges such as:

• Disciplinary or grievance matters – staff disputes, complaints, or misconduct issues.
• Dismissal or redundancy concerns – ensuring legal compliance and fair treatment.
• Reviewing contracts, policies, or HR frameworks – including handbooks, terms of employment, and volunteer agreements.
• Discrimination or equal pay claims – addressing complaints or defending claims under employment legislation.
• Organisational change or TUPE transfers – staff transitions during mergers, outsourcing, or restructuring.

If employment issues are slowing your charity down or creating uncertainty, our specialist team can provide practical, legally sound support.

We advise charities and not-for-profit organisations on the full range of employment matters, always focusing on pragmatic, proportionate solutions. Our services include:

• Contracts and terms of employment – drafting, reviewing, and updating agreements.
• Settlement agreements – negotiating and drafting legally compliant settlements.
• Disciplinary, grievance, and capability procedures – ensuring fair process and compliance with employment law.
• Appraisal and performance management systems – supporting fair, transparent, and legally compliant processes.
• Equal opportunities and equal pay – reviewing policies and defending claims.
• Discrimination claims – including age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
• Dismissals – advising on unfair, constructive, wrongful, redundancy, and retirement dismissals.
• Working time rules and calculations – including leave entitlements, flexible hours, and part-time arrangements.
• Part-time and fixed-term employees – ensuring contracts comply with employment legislation.
• TUPE and organisational change – structuring transfers, redundancies, and service changes to minimise risk.
• Restrictive covenants – advising on non-compete, confidentiality, and intellectual property clauses.
• Employment tribunal representation – supporting charities in disputes from start to finish.

We tailor advice to the charity sector, recognising reputational, cultural, and governance considerations that often arise alongside employment law matters.

Employment law differs for charities due to their unique legal and operational characteristics, which stem from their public benefit purpose and the regulatory framework governing them. Charities are established for charitable purposes only, as defined under the Charities Act 2011, and must operate for the public benefit. This distinct purpose influences how employment law applies to them, particularly in areas such as governance, remuneration, and the roles of trustees and employees.

We have extensive experience advising:

• Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations of all sizes.
• Charities with paid staff and volunteers.
• Boards of trustees and senior management teams.
• Churches and ecclesiastical organisations of all denominations.

Our team understands the practical and legal challenges charities face and provides advice that is legally robust, commercially realistic, and aligned with organisational values.