| With many employers having to make multiple | | | | employee retains their right to choose their own |
| employees redundant, demand for independent | | | | employment law solicitor if they so wish. And the |
| legal advisers to sign off large numbers of | | | | employer or trade union must ensure they advise |
| Compromise Agreements is increasing. It is in the | | | | employees of their right to instruct an alternative |
| employer's, employee's and trade union's interest | | | | employment solicitor. |
| to simplify the process and ensure all employees | | | | The benefits of a streamlined sign-off process are |
| have access to expert employment law advice in | | | | the same for all parties. A well-organised sign-off |
| the easiest way possible. This is particularly so | | | | process from an experienced employment law |
| where there are time constraints. So how can this | | | | solicitor will ensure every employee receives |
| be done? | | | | correct legal advice on their agreement's terms |
| Compromise Agreement employment law | | | | and compensation. They can then make an |
| A Compromise Agreements is a legally binding | | | | informed decision as to whether or not to accept |
| agreement between an employer and an | | | | within the deadline set by the employer. Where |
| employee. It is usual for a Compromise | | | | deadlines are missed - and sometimes deadlines |
| Agreement to be entered into shortly before or | | | | applied by employers can be tight - employees |
| after termination of an employee's contract. This | | | | risk losing any offer of ex-gratia compensation |
| allows a clean break where the employee waives | | | | over and above the statutory and contractual |
| their right to make a claim in return for an agreed | | | | minimum. |
| sum of compensation. | | | | For employers, the greater volume of cases can |
| It is a legal requirement that an employee | | | | give them the chance to reduce the contribution |
| receives independent legal advice before entering | | | | they pay towards each employee's legal |
| into a Compromise Agreement. The employer | | | | expenses. |
| usually pays a fixed sum towards the cost of this | | | | Compromise Agreement legal advice - what to |
| legal advice. | | | | remember |
| The benefits of a streamlined process | | | | If you are an employer or trade union and you |
| If you are an employer making multiple | | | | choose to instruct one law firm to act for your |
| redundancies, or you are a trade union | | | | employees, this firm will negotiate with your legal |
| representing a number of people being made | | | | team or solicitors if they encounter any problems |
| redundant, the Compromise Agreement sign-off | | | | with the Compromise Agreements. To make the |
| process can be time consuming and complex. The | | | | process as straightforward as possible, it is |
| more law firms involved, the more cumbersome | | | | important to instruct your own specialist |
| it can be. Where multiple redundancies are being | | | | employment law solicitors to draft the |
| made, it is often more efficient for one specialist | | | | Compromise Agreements and advise on your |
| employment law firm to advise all employees. | | | | proposed enhanced settlement terms. |
| This ensures consistency and reduces the time | | | | It is also critical you remember to advise |
| needed to complete the process. | | | | employees they can choose their own solicitor or |
| Employers and trade unions can choose a law | | | | properly qualified legal adviser and do not need to |
| firm that offers a bulk Compromise Agreement | | | | use your nominated firm providing the on-site |
| sign-off service. However, where a single firm is | | | | service. |
| nominated by the union or employer, every | | | | |