Prevention Is Better Than Cure: Protect Your Business

At Davenport Solicitors, we believe prevention is the most effective strategy for protecting your business from legal risks. Our comprehensive Employment Law and HR Training programs are designed with one clear goal: to equip you and your team with the knowledge and skills needed to manage the complex landscape of UK employment law.

Why Employment Law Training Matters for Your Business

UK employment laws constantly evolve, creating a challenging environment for employers to maintain compliance. Without proper knowledge and training, businesses face significant risks, including:

1.   Costly employment tribunal claims
2.   Substantial financial penalties
3.   Damaged company reputation
4.   Decreased employee morale and productivity
5.   Time-consuming legal disputes
6.   Increased staff turnover

Our training programs help you avoid these challenges, creating a legally compliant workplace while fostering positive employee relations.

Who Benefits from Our Employment Law and HR Training?

Our tailored training sessions are valuable for:

1.   Business owners and directors
2.   HR professionals and departments
3.   Line managers and team leaders
4.   Department heads
5.   In-house legal teams
6.   Compliance officers
7.   Start-ups and SMEs establishing HR functions

Comprehensive Training Modules

Core Employment Law Training

Our employment law training covers essential areas that every UK employer needs to understand:

1. Employment Contracts and Documentation

1.   Types of employment relationships (permanent, fixed-term, zero-hour, etc.)
2.   Essential contractual terms and protective clauses
3.   Legal requirements for contract amendments
4.   Staff handbooks and company policies
5.   Documentation of best practices that protect employers

2. Disciplinary Procedures and Performance Management

1.   ACAS Code of Practice compliance
2.   Conducting fair and legally sound disciplinary hearings
3.   Documentation requirements for disciplinary actions
4.   Managing poor performance effectively
5.   Avoiding constructive dismissal claims

3. Grievance Handling and Dispute Resolution

1.   Legal framework for handling employee grievances
2.   Step-by-step guidance for grievance procedures
3.   Mediation and conflict resolution techniques
4.   Preventing escalation to tribunal claims
5.   Documentation and evidence-gathering

4. Equality, Diversity and Discrimination Law

1.   Protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
2.   Direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation
3.   Reasonable adjustments for disabled employees
4.   Preventing discrimination in recruitment and promotion
5.   Creating inclusive workplace policies

5. Termination of Employment and Redundancies

1.   Fair and unfair dismissal – understanding the difference
2.   Conducting legally compliant redundancy consultations
3.   Selection criteria and avoiding discrimination
4.   Settlement agreements and negotiations
5.   Managing TUPE transfers

Practical HR Training

Our HR training modules complement our legal training by providing practical tools and techniques:

1. Recruitment and Onboarding Excellence

1.   Legally compliant job advertisements and descriptions
2.   Interviewing techniques that avoid discrimination
3.   Right-to-work checks and immigration compliance
4.   Effective onboarding processes
5.   Probationary period management

2. Employee Relations and Engagement

1.   Building a positive workplace culture
2.   Communication strategies that reduce legal risks
3.   Managing flexible working requests
4.   Family-friendly rights and obligations
5.   Absence management and return to work processes

3. HR Data Management and GDPR Compliance

1.   Employee data protection requirements
2.   Subject access requests handling
3.   Retention policies and practices
4.   Privacy notices and consent
5.   Data breach prevention and management

What Sets Our Training Apart

Expert-Led Sessions

Qualified employment solicitors deliver all our training and extensive practical experience in advising UK businesses. We combine legal expertise with real-world business understanding.

Tailored to Your Business Needs

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all training. Our programs are customised to address your industry challenges, company size, and existing knowledge base.

Practical and Interactive Approach

Our sessions go beyond theory to provide practical tools, templates, and immediate implementation processes. We use case studies, role-plays, and interactive discussions to enhance learning.

Up-to-Date Legal Knowledge

Employment law changes rapidly. Our training incorporates the latest legislation, case law developments, and compliance requirements to keep your business current.

Ongoing Support

Training participants receive follow-up resources and access to our employment law experts for questions that arise after the sessions.

Key Employer Responsibilities – What You Need to Know

Understanding your legal obligations is crucial for risk management. Our training covers essential responsibilities, including:

1.   Creating legally compliant employment contracts and policies
2.   Following fair and consistent procedures for all employment decisions
3.   Preventing discrimination and promoting equality
4.   Maintaining proper documentation of all employment matters
5.   Staying updated with employment law changes
6.   Conducting appropriate workplace risk assessments
7.   Protecting employee data under GDPR
8.   Managing sickness absence and disability accommodations
9.   Handling flexible working requests appropriately

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with employment laws can have serious consequences:

1.   Employment tribunal claims with compensation awards reaching tens of thousands of pounds
2.   Legal costs and management time spent addressing disputes
3.   Damage to employer brand and reputation
4.   Difficulty recruiting top talent
5.   Decreased productivity due to poor employee relations
6.   Potential personal liability for company directors in some cases

Our training helps you avoid these costly outcomes by empowering you with knowledge and practical skills.

Training Formats to Suit Your Needs

We offer flexible training options to accommodate your business requirements:

1.   Half-day focused workshops on specific topics
2.   Full-day comprehensive training sessions
3.   Multi-day programs for in-depth learning
4.   In-person training at your premises
5.   Virtual training sessions via secure online platforms
6.   Blended learning approaches combining different formats
7.   Refresher courses to update existing knowledge

Industry-Specific Training Considerations

We offer specialised training modules that address unique employment challenges in various sectors:

1.   Healthcare: CQC compliance, patient confidentiality, shift working regulations. Know more
2.   Care Homes: Safeguarding requirements, DBS checks, staff qualification regulations, infection control policies. Learn more
3.   Hospitality: Seasonal staffing, tipping policies, working time regulations. Learn more
4.   Professional Services: Restrictive covenants, client poaching, confidentiality
5.   Manufacturing: Health and safety, shift patterns, union relations
6.   Construction: Site safety requirements, subcontractor relationships, CSCS compliance, working at height regulations. Know more
7.   Technology: Intellectual property, remote working, international employment. Learn more

Contact us today to discuss how our Employment Law and HR Training can be tailored to your industry’s needs.

Take the Next Step: Secure Legal Compliance and Business Protection Today

Investing in employment law and HR training is not just about legal compliance—it’s a strategic investment in your business’s future success and protection. Contact Davenport Solicitors today to discuss your specific training needs and let us design a bespoke program that works perfectly for your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should we update our employment law training?
   We recommend annual refresher training as employment laws change frequently. However, additional training may be beneficial when significant legal changes occur or when new managers join your team.
2. Is employment law training legally required?
   While not universally mandated, certain industries have specific training requirements. Moreover, tribunals often consider whether managers have received appropriate training when assessing employers’ liability in discrimination and unfair dismissal cases.
3. How many staff members can attend each training session?
   We recommend groups of 10-15 participants per session for optimal learning outcomes. This allows for meaningful discussion and personalised attention. However, we can accommodate larger groups for general awareness sessions.
4. Can you provide training materials for our internal use?
   Yes, all participants receive comprehensive training materials. We can also develop customised reference guides for your organisation’s ongoing use.
5. How do we measure the effectiveness of the training?
   We provide pre-and post-training assessments to measure knowledge improvement and offer follow-up consultations to evaluate how well the training has been implemented in daily operations.
6. Do you offer training packages or retainer services?
   Yes, we provide package options for businesses requiring multiple training sessions and offer training as part of our comprehensive employment law retainer services.
7. Can training be conducted outside regular business hours?
   Yes, we understand operational demands and can arrange training during evenings or weekends to minimise disruption to your business.
8. Is the training eligible for continuing professional development (CPD) credits?
   Our training programs qualify for CPD credits for HR professionals and other relevant disciplines.
9. Do you provide certification upon completion?
   All participants receive a certificate of completion that can be used for compliance and professional development records.
10. How soon can training be arranged?
    Typically, we can arrange training within 2-3 weeks of initial enquiry, though this may vary depending on the scope and customisation required.