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Employment lawyers in Manchester
Looking for employment lawyers for your Manchester business but concerned about cost? Traditional law firms can charge upwards of £150 per hour, which could see you paying more than you had bargained for and constantly watching the clock.
At WorkNest, we believe there’s a better way. We assign qualified employment law experts on a fair, fixed-fee basis. That way, you can get as much support you need through all your employee issues, without the worry of costs spiralling if a matter takes longer than expected to resolve.
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Who we are | Employment lawyers in Manchester
Legal support from local experts
Established in 2004, WorkNest helps organisations across the UK overcome their people challenges through pragmatic Employment Law & HR support.
Trusted by 35,000 employers and with more qualified solicitors than any of our larger fixed-fee competitors, our employment law specialists provide local Manchester businesses with the expertise they need to overcome any employee issue, from the seemingly simple to the most risky and complex.
From straightforward step-by-step guidance through difficult situations to taking care of your documentation, we make managing your workforce easier by reducing the time, stress and legal risk involved.
Whether you’re a digital or creative agency, financial services business, large manufacturer or boutique hotel, we’re proud to support the eclectic and exciting mix of businesses that call Manchester home.
We have employment
lawyers based in Manchester
Email us | enquiries@worknest.com
Call us | 0345 225 8396
Meet the team
Our people are the most important part of our service.
From our highly-qualified advisory teams that deliver dedicated support to our clients, to our back-office teams that ensure a smooth service, we’re exceptionally proud of the team we have.
Who you’ll be working with
Angela Carter
Director of Legal Services
Toyah Marshall
Head of Team
Toyah Marshall
Principal Employment Law Adviser
Client stories
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Gus Hosein
Executive Director, Privacy International
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WorkNest supports our 280 staff members with Employment Law and Health & Safety and has provided quality management training too.”
Lisa Best
Head of Service Delivery, Catalyst Choice
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We get a great deal of comfort and satisfaction knowing that we have support as and when we need it, in a decisive and responsive way.”
Richard Berry
Group HR Director, Culina Group
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We moved our legal support to WorkNest (formerly Law at Work) having previously used a time and line law firm. It was important, though, that an all-inclusive fee structure did not come at the expense of quality. Thankfully we’ve been delighted with the service we’ve received from WorkNest.”
Chief Executive
Waverley Care
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What we recognised in WorkNest is the background that they have. They are able to supply knowledge and experience in a number of disciplines, which enables us to develop our business in a way that’s safe, to do it on time and with a quality to it.”
Debbie Rainbow
Director of Human Resources and Health & Safety,
Bluestone National Park Resort
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Celia McKeon
Chief Executive, The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT)
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As the company started to get larger, we knew we had to protect our employees and our contractors both onsite and in the offices. WorkNest is exactly what we needed to move the company forward.”
Joanne Beaver
Operations Director, Beaverfit
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Pineapple have worked with the team at WorkNest (formerly Law at Work) since 2003, and we have built a trusted partnership together. We particularly like WorkNest’s concise and practical advice concerning employment law/HR issues and also appreciate their totally supportive approach in all areas of health and safety.”
General Manager
Pineapple Dance Studios
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I’ve taken WorkNest into every organisation that I’ve worked with. I’ve introduced them to many teams and many colleagues and referred them with absolute pleasure because I genuinely trust in the service that we get.”
People Director, The Works
What we can help with
COVID-19
Being Employment Law Compliant
If you often find that you’re not sure of the best course of action when faced with difficult employee dilemmas, or you’re conscious that your policies and procedures might not comply with best practice, WorkNest can reduce your risk of claims through dedicated, expert support.
Absenteeism
Bogged down in low-level absence or facing a particularly tricky situation? Our experts can help you deal with bogus absences, long-standing conditions that may be disability-related, and everything in between.
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Disciplinary
Whether you feel completely out of your depth or just want the reassurance of a second opinion, we’ll find out what you want to do, help you explore options and risks, and work with you to manage misconduct quickly, effectively and in line with the law.
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Employment Tribunals
Worried about the rising threat of employee claims? We help organisations proactively reduce their exposure through pragmatic advice, with the reassurance of expert Litigation support should a claim arise.
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Grievance
From setting up a grievance procedure to holding a hearing and managing appeals, we’re here to walk you through the process so that you can resolve issues quickly, compliantly and with minimal disruption to your organisation.
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Performance Management
Managing performance can be a large undertaking for time-poor managers. If you don’t have the time or expertise, our Employment Law and HR specialists can help with everything from process advice to policies and frameworks.
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COVID-19
Managing COVID-19
Furlough, self-isolating staff, refusals to work and even redundancy – coronavirus (COVID-19) has created numerous employment obstacles. Our free-to-use Coronavirus Advice Hub contains hundreds of resources to help you tackle these issues head on.
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Redundancies
Whether you’re looking at single redundancies or collective consultation, navigate the process as painlessly as possible and limit the potential for claims with our end-to-end redundancy support.
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Upskilling Managers
Keen to upskill in essential HR topics and legal compliance? Looking for ongoing support in the form of a responsive helpline? We offer a range of solutions designed to help managers carry out their role confidently and effectively.
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95% Client satisfaction rate
97% Client retention rate
Why choose us?
Experts in Employment Law & HR
At WorkNest, we’re known for our bespoke service and the quality of our support. Not only is our expertise unmatched, but we take the time to know you so that we can function as a true extension of your team.
- Your own small team of dedicated experts
- Commercial, pragmatic advice tailored to you
- Bespoke contracts, policies and handbooks
- Trusted by over 40,000 organisations
- Recognised as a leading firm by The Legal 500
When an employee becomes pregnant, there are a number of employment law considerations employers must be mindful of. Nowhere is this truer than in cases of dismissal. If you are considering dismissing a pregnant employee, it’s essential that you can prove beyond doubt that the dismissal being considered is on fair grounds, i.e. for reasons entirely unconnected to their pregnancy.
Employers can demote employees, and it is often a preferable alternative to dismissal. However, demotion can cause issues if it is not already outlined in the contract and could lead to legal action. If you’re unsure whether you are able to demote an employee, the safest option is to talk through your situation with an employment law expert.
Gross misconduct is an act or behaviour severe enough to warrant immediate dismissal without notice or pay in lieu. There are many different examples of behaviour that this could entail. While it’s always best to get expert advice before dismissing an employee, there are a few examples of conduct that can almost always be considered grounds for immediate dismissal.