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Employer Protect

Banner Jones specialist employment law solicitors know that it’s hard for businesses to keep up to date with the constant changes in employment law.

That’s why we’re here for you when you need us most to advise on any employment law query and are delighted to be able to offer our Employer Protect package to you.

Employer Protect is a service designed to meet the needs of all employers, whether you have a dedicated HR function or not, giving you peace of mind and protection against the risk of an expensive employment tribunal claim.

It is a cost effective solution for your employment law needs. For an affordable fixed annual fee Banners Jones' employment law solicitors and HR specialists can help you with all your employment law issues.

We know...

Your time matters

That's why we are here for you however you need us.

  • Phone
  • Face to face
  • Video call

Contact us for a no obligation chat to discuss the best way for us to help you

Employer Protect helps you by providing you with:

  • Employment Law Health Check – to ensure that you are fully compliant with all relevant employment law, we will ensure that your contracts of employment, policies and Staff Handbook are up to date.
  • Telephone helpline – for unlimited advice and assistance on any employment law or HR issue.
  • Dedicated adviser – to give you the best advice for your business, we need to know how your business works. Giving you a dedicated advisor allows us to do this.
  • Tailored Documents – we will provide you with template letters, contracts policies and forms and help you tailor them to ensure that they are right for the situation and your business.
  • Regular Updates – we will ensure that you are up to date in developments in employment law with regular updates by email.
  • Insurance – this can be added to cover the cost of employment tribunal claims and the costs, awards and settlements that these bring.

With Employer Protect, you can relax, safe in the knowledge that you have an expert employment law adviser on hand to talk to and support you, and help with ensuring that whatever action you take, you are legally compliant and protected by insurance (if this option is taken).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we have to do anything else in our recruitment adverts?

You need to be able to justify if you are asking for certain levels of experience. Advertising for a bus driver who is safe and has had previous experience is one thing advertising for a bus driver with 10 years’ experience is another. The first option leaves your job advert open for all ages to apply. The second rules out individuals who may be in their early twenties.

 Other points to consider when recruiting new employees:

  • Ensure whoever is interviewing potential employee’s scores interviewees on their skills and competencies as opposed to their age.
  • Although they are not discriminatory themselves consider removing any reference to age on your job application forms.
  • Don’t ask a potential employee for a physical fitness test unless you require them. 

Once you have selected an appropriate employee ensure managers and staff are trained to monitor and avoid any discriminatory behaviour. Also make sure it is clear within any policies you have that discrimination in any form is unacceptable. Ensure managers are fully trained in diversity issues and that they are able to deal with discriminatory issues that arise within the workplace.

Do we need to worry about these requirements if we employ people in their 50’s and 60’s?

Yes you need to be aware of these requirements if you employ anyone of any age. They affect every area of employment as well as the recruitment and selection process. The requirements not only make it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of age but also harassment whether it be intentional or unintentional or to victimise an individual. 

You need to worry not only about your own actions but also your fellow employees who must be discouraged from making offensive or unkind comments about age or anything in between.

 As with other areas of discrimination if your employee can demonstrate that there has been a difference in treatment which is due to discrimination it is solely down to you the employer to show otherwise or for you to prove that you have done everything in your power to stop such discrimination. There are no limits to discrimination awards and often they include an aspect for suffering, failure to do so can be expensive. 

 

How does age discrimination requirements effect the recruitment process?

When you are recruiting employees you need to ensure you are not discriminating for or against anyone due to their age. This means you cannot advertise specific age requirements in any of your job adverts unless you can justify them.

Our employees are all in their early twenties if we employ someone in their sixties they would be out of place. Do we have to hire someone of this age?

If you interview someone in their sixties and they turn out to be as good or even better than your current employees in their twenties you should not let their age be a determining factor as to whether you hire them or not. Since October 2006 it has been unlawful to reject anyone for an interview based on their age. There is not a lot employers can do to control the age of their workforce therefore you would potentially have to recruit someone in their sixties even if you have a younger workforce.  

What are the conditions of age discrimination?

In 2011 legislation new legislation was introduced making it unlawful to treat anyone differently due to their age except if it could be justified or falls within one of the exemptions to the law. The retirement age of 65 has now been phased out meaning employers can now only forcibly retire workers if it can be justified.  

 

What year did the requirements of age discrimination come into effect?

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations came into effect in October 2006. The retirement age of 65 was phased out between April 2011 and October 2011.

Employment Law Chesterfield

Very professional and showed empathy throughout.

Mr B, Walton

I recently used Katie Ash for an employment settlement agreement. I found her to be very knowledgeable, friendly and she explained points clearly, and used understandable language.

Mrs H, Chesterfield

Professional yet personal & understanding. Excellent service

Mr P, Chesterfield

Katie is understanding, considerate and very kind and thoughtful in her manner.

Mrs L, Old Tupton

We have used Banner Jones for employment advice for over 20 years and the team have always found the best approach to resolve our problem

Mr. Richard Kay, Operations Manager, Stagecoach East Midlands

Excellent service due to business relationship with our solicitor.

Mr A, Chesterfield

Very efficient, friendly and professional. We would definitely recommend to friends and family. They made the whole experience problem free.

Mrs W, Mansfield

I was so impressed with Katie’s advice. She was very professional, to the point and helped me in what was a very difficult situation. Her advice gave me the confidence I needed and was a real boost.

Mr D, Chesterfield

Service was incredible. Lee Foster made the transition smooth and easy. Thanks Lee!

Mr P, Rotherham

Very efficient, friendly, personable and excellent service.

Mr F, Bolsover

Excellent service from Sara Patel at Banner Jones. Thank you for the stress free way you helped me.

Mr S, Newbold

Our Expert Employment Law Team

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We take data privacy very seriously, and we want you to understand and feel confident about how we collect, store and handle your personal data. If you’d like to find out more you can read our Privacy Policy.

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We take data privacy very seriously, and we want you to understand and feel confident about how we collect, store and handle your personal data. If you’d like to find out more you can read our Privacy Policy.