Is employment law something that you know you need to learn about but you’re not sure where to start?
The legal world is packed with acronyms, abbreviations and terms which make it complex at the best of times – and that’s before you take on the added pressure of being an employer in charge of running a business and keeping employees safe and happy.
With the support and guidance of London employment lawyers, running your business doesn’t have to be difficult – but the more you know and understand the intricacies of employment law, the better.
This is why we’ve created this blog as an introduction to some of the most common terms used in the world of employment law.
Third Party Employment Lawyer Definitions
The following terms are all centred around your partnership with an outsourced or third-party employment lawyer.
Annual Retainer: A service whereby you as the employer pay an annual fee for a full year’s worth of legal support. You can call on the expertise of your lawyer as often as you need to within that period.
Tribunal Representation: When a professional employment lawyer acts on your behalf at a formal tribunal, representing the company and protecting the business’s reputation in the process.
Settlement Agreement: An agreement between both parties where they both agree to terms outside of an employment tribunal or court proceeding. This is the ideal outcome for employers and employees alike when faced with a dispute.
Employment Law Industry Definitions
The following terms are widely used in the employment law industry and can help you navigate and manage your role as an employer.
Flexible Working: An important term to understand, especially with the rise in flexible working requests from employees. This can cover anything that varies outside the normal terms of employment – for example, changing working hours, working location, sharing a job between two people, or working compressed hours.
National Minimum Wage: The minimum wage that you are obliged by law to pay workers and employees. This changes regularly and depends on the age of the worker.
Unfair Dismissal: A case where an employee is fired or let go for seemingly unfair reasons. If the employee has been working for you for more than two years, then they are protected from unfair dismissal and can only be fired under a fair reason. These include things like incompetence or poor conduct.
Constructive Dismissal: A case where an employer makes working conditions so bad that an employee is forced to resign. In this case, the employee has a right to make a claim against the employer.
Need more support in understanding the basics of employment law?
Most employment lawyers in London and beyond will bridge proactive work and support with employment law training – helping in-house HR teams and business owners understand their obligations and how to protect employees and the business.
Find out more by reaching out to your local team.