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Industrial relations & trade unions

All companies need to be prepared for the unexpected, we can help organisations identify and prepare and provide a rapid response to industrial relations issues, whilst also strengthening employee engagement.

We have a proven track record in collective employment relations law and strategy, crisis management and contingency planning, and industrial disputes.

Success may be measured in the way a business reacts to a crisis. Knowing how the business will react in a crisis to protect its reputation, assets, stakeholders and commercial interests is vital. We have a wealth of experience assisting companies in early-stage contingency planning through to response on the day a crisis occurs.

We are highly experienced in dealing with industrial disruption, including union negotiations, strike management and avoidance, contingency planning and management negotiation training. We are also conscious that there is an increasing trend for the approach of unions to be more sophisticated and international, focusing on campaigns that target reputation and apply stakeholder pressure using social media and PR rather than just strikes.

In addition we can provide specialist industrial relations consultants to support your existing HR resource through our subsidiary HR company, Forbury People Limited, and deliver industrial relations training from foundation to strategic levels.

An exceptional balance of expertise and personality.”

Legal 500

Key contacts

Monica Atwal

Managing Partner

View profile

+44 118 960 4605

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

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  • 30 October 2019
  • Employment

Covert recording of employees: No breach of human rights

In López Ribalda and others v Spain, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has held that it was not a breach of Article 6 (right to a fair trial) or Article 8 (right to respect for a private life) of the European Convention on Human Rights, to covertly record employees as part of an investigation into suspected theft and for the recording to be used at trial.

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  • 24 October 2019
  • Employment

Using preferred pronouns for transgender individuals

In the case of Mackereth v The Department for Work and Pensions and another, the Claimant was a doctor who refused to use transgender individuals’ preferred pronouns and titles as he claimed it went against his Christian beliefs.

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  • 18 October 2019
  • Employment

Confidentiality agreements guidance

NDAs have long been a popular subject in the media. Seeking to clarify its position on their use in employment matters, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued new guidance. The purpose of the guidance is to clarify the law on confidentiality agreements in employment scenarios, with particular emphasis on improving understanding and transparency when combating discrimination in the workplace.

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  • 11 October 2019
  • Employment

Little white lies: not giving the true reasons for dismissal pointed to discrimination

This week, in Base Childrenswear v Otshudi, the Court of Appeal confirmed that not being honest about the reason for dismissal can show that the employer has a discrimination case to answer.

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  • 11 October 2019
  • Employment

Striking a Balance – Activism and the Workplace

In the wake of September’s Global Climate Strike, protests previously confined to the personal sphere are now spilling over onto the streets and taking place during the working day.This article considers the legal position of employees who participate in this kind of activism, with a view to helping organisations take a considered approach to their response.

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  • 11 October 2019
  • Employment

IR35: control comes at a £920,000 cost

As the April 2020 IR35 changes loom ever larger, there is a lot of attention on challenges under the current system to the tax arrangements of consultants providing work through their own personal service companies.

Clarkslegal’s innovative approach to solving complex cases is consistent; their quality standards are extremely high and their staff are efficient and friendly – overall 11/10!”

Carrol Douglas-Welsh, Head of Employee Relations – Scottish and Southern Energy