Starting a family should be an exciting time. But it can be stressful if your employer doesn’t support you as they should, or if they discriminate against you because of this choice.
Our employment solicitors can advise you on your legal and contractual rights, and can also help you if you’ve been bullied, harassed or discriminated against.
What Can We Help With?
Understanding Your Rights
Your employer has to give you certain maternity, paternity and adoption rights by law. In addition, they may offer extra rights in your employment contract.
We can advise you of your rights regarding maternity, paternity and shared parental leave (where you can flexibly share your combined paternity and maternity leave).
Our lawyers can also help you make flexible working requests following the birth or adoption of your child (for both mothers and fathers). We’ll guide you through this process, and can negotiate flexible working terms with your employer.
Discrimination & Harassment Claims
Sadly many women and men still experience unfair treatment because they are starting a family, or have child care commitments.
Pregnancy is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, meaning that it is illegal to discriminate against you because of pregnancy.
If you’ve suffered discrimination or harassment because you are pregnant or a parent, we can help. We regularly work with senior executives and professionals who:
- Didn’t get a job because they were pregnant or have children
- Have been bullied or harassed
- Weren’t allowed to return to your job following maternity leave on the same terms
- Were unfairly passed over for a promotion
- Were denied a flexible working request without good reason
- Were dismissed or made redundant.
Often a dispute can be resolved with your employer directly, following their own grievance procedures or via negotiation. However, if necessary we will support you through the Employment Tribunal process.
Who Can We Help?
We help mothers, fathers, guardians and adoptive parents with a range of employment law issues.
Family life is so important, and senior employees shouldn’t have to give up their rights because of their position. Our lawyers can help:
- Employees
- Senior executives
- Directors
- Partners
- Board members
- Professionals
- Consultants
- Doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Why Choose Us?
We understand how intimidating it can be if your employer is treating you unfairly. Our lawyers regularly act against big corporations and know exactly how to enforce your rights.
But at the same time it’s important to protect your relationship with your employer, so we take care to handle tough negotiations sensitively.
We have a large team of solicitors who specialise in protecting parental employment rights. We’re recognised by the independent legal guides, Chambers and Legal 500, as experts in this area. So whether you need advice on your rights, or help defending them, we’re ready to help.
Contact Us
If you’d like advice about your employment rights, our lawyers can help. Call us on 0207 650 3939 or contact us online.
Large, experienced team of solicitors
Specialists in representing senior professionals
Advice in plain English
Offices around the UK
