Local Employers’ Club goes from strength to strength
The Club was established by the firm over two years ago. Its aim it to help local employers keep abreast of the complex and dynamic area of employment law where it is all too easy to unwittingly fall foul of ‘the regulations' with adverse financial and other consequences for the employer concerned.
Originally run for the exclusive benefit of clients of the firm, membership is now open to any local employer. The corporate membership fee is a modest £50 p.a. which entitles up to two people to attend the quarterly meetings where lawyers from Toller Beattie LLP discuss new legislation, updates and new developments. Members also receive a monthly e-newsletter on employment law.
Originally the quarterly meetings were held in Barnstaple, at the firm's premises. However, ‘parallel' quarterly meetings are now also held in Bideford at premises provided by Business Link on the Caddsdown Park Industrial Estate.
At the most recent meetings in June the topics - delivered by three of the firm's employment law team - included advice on how to manage employee disciplinary proceedings, how to protect a business from harassment claims by employees and the limitations of post-termination restrictions in employment contracts. There was, as always, time also given to questions and an Open Forum where delegates discussed some of their own employment issues.
Jon Dunkley, employment law specialist, who runs the Club said that he was overwhelmed by its continuing success and growth in membership, stating "we set up The Employment Club to provide a forum for small business owners, and human resource managers, to discuss and share ideas on employment issues affecting small and medium sized businesses. The Club has enabled us to better understand the needs of our business clients and provide a much more effective and cost-efficient service to them".
Stephanie Coley, Human Resource manager representing member firm Pearce Construction said that she finds the club "Interesting and informative. Well presented and interesting talks". Rowena Rhead, Director of Ark Nursing & Care Agency Ltd added "Employment Law is a minefield through which Toller Beattie LLP leads us safely".
