We advise employers on their relations with their workforce including through trade unions and other representative groups. This covers all forms of consultative process both at a local level and national level and union recognition.
We are particularly experienced at advising on major changes to the workforce involving changing or harmonising terms and conditions and advising employers on the optimum method of engaging with the workforce to ensure commercial objectives are achieved but at the same time exposure to individual or collective claims minimised.
Where industrial action is threatened, we work closely with clients in identifying potential areas of legal challenge were appropriate, particularly regarding the notification and balloting processes but also on a practical preparing an options analysis and formulating and implementing relevant contingency plans for essential services and functions should industrial action go ahead. Our experience in advising the public sector for many years means we have a particular expertise in this area. We have also advised our private sector clients on issues such as formal request for recognition from a trade union and the establishment of agreements for EU wide and national works councils.