Whether you work to live or live to work, your job is no doubt a major part of your life, so any problems that arise will have a significant impact on your day-to-day existence, either financially, emotionally or both.

Employment legislation is a minefield, so you need a practiced guide to tell you exactly what’s what and where you stand. We’re ready with a shoulder to lean on, as well as straightforward advice, to give you the support you need to resolve any issues.

There are usually several routes to finding a solution and our team prefers to explore these with you before choosing a solution. We aim to ensure that you are comfortable with any specific course of action, and that it is the best option to achieve your objectives.

Employment is a constantly changing and increasingly regulated area. We provide our clients with practical responses to the raft of new legislation, case law and regulatory changes.

We advise on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including:

• Drafting and negotiating employment documentation, especially for key senior personnel
• The latest corporate governance requirements, particularly phased payments and avoiding rewards for failure
• The impact of EU legislation, including on working time and ‘family-friendly’ policies
• Managing information and consultation requirements, often on a cross-jurisdictional basis
• Redundancies and restructurings
• Employment disputes and dismissals
• Complex issues involving discrimination, whistle-blowing, and restrictive covenants
• Employment aspects of all commercial transactions including acquisitions, disposals and service provision changes, flotations, takeovers and insolvent restructurings

We regularly prepare cases for the Employment Tribunal and High Court and have taken cases to the Court of Appeal. We also have considerable experience in negotiating settlements.

Compromise Agreements

Waterfords Solicitors compromise agreement solicitors negotiate and advise on compromise agreements for all employees at all levels of seniority. We are experienced in negotiating and advising on severance agreements ranging from relatively routine pre-agreed settlements to high-value and complex deals involving share options and structured payments.

Employers sometimes offer a compromise agreement or severance agreement when terminating your employment.

The basis of a compromise agreement is that the employer offers you further financial compensation or another incentive (usually beyond your contractual entitlement) to enter into the compromise agreement. In turn, by signing the agreement you give up your right to bring an employment-related claim against your employer.

If negotiated properly, a compromise agreement can be a very effective way to ensure that you are adequately compensated for the termination of your employment without the need to bring a formal claim against your employer, which can be expensive and time-consuming and may attract potentially damaging publicity.

If you are offered a compromise agreement, you should take independent legal advice on the agreement as soon as possible. Waterfords Solicitors specialist compromise agreement solicitors can advise you on any claims you may have, and can negotiate the best compensation package in the circumstances, ensuring that the agreement is adequately drafted to provide you with the protection you require.