how it works

We consider “best practice” to be a two stage process. The first stage is to ensure that all your contractual documentation is up to date in order to provide you with as much protection as possible. Once your policies and procedures are in place, the second stage is to ensure that they are communicated properly and enforced. Our service is comprehensive in that from the initial EmployLaw Audit, through EmployLaw Assistance to EmployLaw Representation, it is covered by legal expenses and claims insurance and your requirements are always handled by a qualified employment solicitor dedicated to your business (which gives you the additional benefit of our own professional indemnity policy).
At an extra cost we can provide staff training to enhance your employees understanding of their role in employment matters.
Our services are tailored to your individual needs and our pricing, which can be monthly, quarterly or annually, take into account the size of your payroll / number of employees and claims record.

EMPLOYLAW AUDIT

With all the recent changes in employment legislation can you be sure that your contracts of employment, terms and conditions and policies comply? If you are an employer, the legislation can be daunting, so where do you start?

We will review your existing arrangements, and where necessary prepare new contracts, policies and handbooks tailor-made for your business. This may involve a visit to your offices. This service will ensure your business is up-to-date with the current legislation for:

Contracts of Employment:

Standard contracts of employment and/or
Specific contracts for senior staff, high risk staff, home workers, fixed-term workers, part-time workers and/or
Service Agreements for Directors.

Company Handbook:

Additional provisions to support and expand upon the contractual terms and conditions of employment.
Company policies covering:

Recruitment
Appraisal
Training & Development Disciplinary
Performance Improvement Harassment
Retirement

Promotion
Smoking
Grievance
Equal Opportunities
Drug & Alcohol Abuse
E-Mail
Public Interest Disclosure

Internet
Health & Safety
Family Friendly
(maternity, paternity, parental, adoption and flexible working)
Issues
Stress

Company Forms:

Job application, job description, illness certificates, absence request form, training record, accident log and Working Time Regulation opt out.

Should you want Downs to produce individual contracts/handbooks for each employee based on the template, we are happy to do so at an additional charge.

It is necessary for us to undertake this audit in order that you may qualify for EmployLaw Assistance and EmployLaw Representation.

The cost of the Audit is not charged every year. Prior to every third renewal date, it will be necessary for you to undergo a further audit at a cost of 25% of the price then applicable for EmployLaw Audit. This cost will be charged without our invoice for the third year of your subscription.
Please see our explanatory Notes for further information.

EMPLOYLAW ASSISTANCE

A complementary annual service to give you specialist employment law support and to help you keep up-to-date with future changes in legislation.

EmployLaw Advisory Service.
Written and telephone legal advice from a solicitor specialising in employment law, and dedicated to your business in relation to any employment matter excluding claims.

EmployLaw Update.
A regular newsletter which you can receive by email to keep you up-to-date with changes in employment law.

A programme of free seminars on practical everyday employment issues.

It is necessary for you to subscribe to EmployLaw Assistance should you wish to apply for EmployLaw Representation, as this is a condition of the insurance cover.

Please see our Explanatory Notes for further information. Please note detailed advice about how to implement the Information and Consultation Regulations is specifically excluded.

EMPLOYLAW TRAINING

For groups of up to 20 - £1,000 plus VAT to £2,000 plus VAT for half or a whole day’s training.

Even the most careful preparation of company policies can be let down by poor communication and implementation. That’s where management training becomes so important. Downs can provide tailor-made training for your business to ensure your staff understand the need for and how to apply company policies.

EMPLOYLAW REPRESENTATION

If you are unfortunate enough to have an Employment Tribunal claim issued against you, Downs can provide advice and representation backed by legal expenses and claims insurance. We have arrangements with Vision Underwriting Limited which can provide you with the assurance that Downs will guide you through an employment claim and that the costs of the claim (fees and awards) can be met, provided that you follow (and have followed) the advice of Downs.

This cover is conditional upon you:-

undertaking EmployLaw Audit,
subscribing to EmployLaw Assistance, and
obtaining underwriter’s acceptance.

Note: The cover is for a period of one year and is renewable at the discretion of the underwriters.

If you have a no claims record for at least three years, a no claims discount may be available.

Please read the key facts carefully as there are exceptions and conditions to the cover provided by Vision Underwriting Limited. Premiums are based on the annual payroll of your business.

Cover is, at all times, subject to the terms and conditions offered by Vision Underwriting Limited.