If you’ve been offered a settlement agreement (known as a compromise agreement in Northern Ireland), your employment is probably being terminated by redundancy or as part of disciplinary action. It means your employer has offered you a sum of money in return for you losing your job. By signing it, you also give up your …
This article builds on our recent article Your rights at work If you are on probation… When you first start working for a new employer, they might initially treat you as being on a ‘probationary’ period. However, in law, there is no such thing as a probationary period; you retain your statutory rights from day …
Lawyers deal with a lot of ‘what ifs’. What if your employer didn’t follow the Acas redundancy selection process correctly? What if you were discriminated against? What if you were unfairly dismissed rather than being made redundant? If you make a claim, you need to know what kind of evidence the employment tribunal will be …
In 2005, Northern Ireland became the first place in the UK to introduce civil partnerships, and the first ceremonies were held at Belfast City Hall. Shannon Sickles & Grainne Close were the first same-sex couple to have their relationship legally recognised, followed later that day by Chris & Henry Flanagan-Kane. Despite same-sex marriage now being …
To be more inclusive, we’re seeing a shift to non-binary language in many areas. The MTV Awards are now gender-neutral, with Best Female and Best Male prizes being combined into one genderless Actor of the Year trophy (which Emma Watson won). Pre-recorded Transport for London announcements will soon say “Good morning, everyone” instead of “Good …
If you’re an employee, you have certain rights at work, such as the right not to be dismissed unfairly, and the right to redundancy pay. These rights do not apply if you’re self-employed, an agency worker, casual worker or trainee. As a result, some employers may attempt to give you that status. This also means …
Guaranteed access to prompt and fair justice has been enshrined in English law since Magna Carta in 1297. However, in July 2013, the Government introduced fees to submit claims at Tribunal and a further fee to have them heard. Charges started at £160 for issuing a claim for lost wages or breach of contract. Tribunal …
If you believe you were discriminated against when you lost your job, you may wonder whether you can make a claim against your employer for unfair dismissal. The short answer is yes – but you must act quickly. The time limit is generally three months minus one day from the date you were dismissed. What’s …
A settlement agreement (or compromise agreement in Northern Ireland) waives your right to make a claim against your employer at an employment tribunal or court, usually in return for a payment. But do you need to take legal advice before you accept (or reject) it? The short answer is yes. You do need to take …
A – In most cases, yes. Most appeals are no more than an exercise in rubber-stamping, but if you fail to appeal you may be criticised by the Tribunal or have your compensation reduced. If the decision is not overturned, you may have the right to claim unfair dismissal. If it is overturned, you …