Employment Law Services for Individuals

We understand the impact that problems at work can have on your health and wellbeing. That’s why we will do everything we can to help you resolve your situation and achieve a successful outcome for you.

We use our vast experience as Legal 500 recommended Employment Law experts to fight your corner and safeguard your rights and wellbeing. We operate with empathy and clarity, and take the time to fully understand the challenges you face.

We are proactive and robust when confronting issues such as unfair dismissal, discrimination and bullying on your behalf, taking a strategic approach to ensure your success.

Email our
Employment Team

Call Us

0161 926 9969

Our expertise in the following areas

Bringing an Employment Tribunal Claim

We are experienced litigators who conduct all Employment Tribunal advocacy and specialise in complex and high value claims. We represent you at all stages of the Employment Tribunal process and are in your corner every step of the way.

We can help with:

Assessing and calculating the value of your claim;
Drafting and submitting your claim;
Collection of evidence;
Full representation in hearings.

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Contracts of Employment

All employees are entitled to an employment contract, but when they are packed with business protections and restrictions they can feel stacked in the employer’s favour.

We cut through the jargon to explain exactly where you stand. We advise what is enforceable and how to negotiate, whether at the start of employment or when new terms are offered.

We have particular expertise in advising on post-termination restrictions and complex bonus and remuneration terms.

We can help with:

Reviewing and advising you on the terms of your contract of employment;
Representing you in contract negotiations and contract disputes with your employer;
Advising you on the enforceability of post-termination restrictions and confidentiality obligations contained within your contract of employment;
Helping you enforce your legal right to receive a contract of employment under the Employment Rights Act 1996; and
Advising you on the terms of complex bonus and remuneration schemes.

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Reasonable Adjustments

If you have a disability, you are entitled to expect your employer to make reasonable adjustments to remove the disadvantages you suffer because of your disability. This may include changes to your hours of work, your place of work or your working environment.

We can help with:

Assessing whether your meet the legal definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010;
Helping you understand your rights to reasonable adjustments and how you can assert them in the workplace;
Representing you in grievances and Employment Tribunal claims if your employer fails to comply with their duty to make reasonable adjustments; and
Advising you on and supporting you in respect of related disability discrimination concerns.

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Family Rights

Employment Law is a balance between employee rights and business needs. This is especially so in relation to family rights.

Employees, especially parents, enjoy a wide range of family rights. If your employer prevents you from exercising your rights, life is likely to be made very difficult.

We can help with:

Advising you of your rights to time away from work for family reasons;
Supporting you in asserting your rights and challenging your employer’s decisions;
Representing you in grievances and Employment Tribunal claims if your employer fails to uphold your rights to family leave; and
Advising you on and supporting you in respect of related discrimination concerns

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Redundancy

If you are at risk of redundancy, it is crucial that you seek specialist advice as soon as possible. We may be able to help you avoid being made redundant or maximise the compensation you receive if you are made redundant.

We ensure you are treated fairly and that your rights are upheld. We guide you through the redundancy process every step of the way and, if you are made redundant, we advise whether you have been unfairly dismissed and lead your fight for compensation.

We can help with:

Helping you prepare for redundancy consultation meetings and to challenge the proposals and decisions made by your employer;
Advising you on potential claims arising from your redundancy, including unfair dismissal and discrimination; and
Asserting your rights and maximising the compensation payable to you if made you are made redundant.

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Transfers of Undertakings (TUPE)

If you work in a business which is sold or replaced by a new service provider, you are protected by The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, known as TUPE.

TUPE means your employment transfers to a new employer on your existing terms with your continuity of service intact. You are also entitled to be informed of any transfer and consulted with about its effects.

If your TUPE rights are breached you may be entitled to significant compensation.

We can help with:

Advising you on your rights under TUPE, before, during and after the transfer of your employment to a new employer;
Ensuring you are protected where your new employer proposes to make post-transfer changes;
Maximising compensation if your rights are breached; and
Representing you in TUPE related Employment Tribunal claims and substantial penalties for TUPE breaches.

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Flexible working

More and more employees are seeking more flexible working arrangements to balance their work and family lives and maintain wellbeing. This can including changing hours and place of work, start and finish time or even homeworking.

If your employer prevents you from exercising your rights, life is likely to be made very difficult. We advise on how to assert your flexible working rights.

We can help with:

Advising you of your right to request flexible working and how to submit your request;
Supporting you in challenging your employer’s rejection of your flexible working;
Representing you in grievances and Employment Tribunal claims if your employer fails to properly consider, or unreasonably rejects, your flexible working request; and
Advising you on and supporting you in respect of related discrimination concerns

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Bullying and Harassment

Being bullied or harassed at work can make your life a misery and it can be hard to know how to resolve the situation. That’s why you need our Employment Law solicitors in your corner, to ensure you get the protection you need.

We can help with:

Advising you on your rights;
Helping to raise grievances;
Representing you in the Employment Tribunal Claims; and
Maximising the compensation.

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Discrimination

All workers and job applicants have the right not to be discriminated against because of a protected characteristic.

We understand that the impact of discrimination can be devastating and regularly support individuals to uphold their rights and prevent discrimination. We know that taking on your employer can feel like an uphill battle and are in your corner every step of the way.

Whether you are still in employment or your exit was discriminatory, we use our expertise to maximise the compensation you receive for the discrimination you have suffered.

We can help with:

Advice on your rights and how to assert them;
Raising grievances and seeking redress for the discrimination you have suffered;
Representation in Employment Tribunal claims; and
Maximising the compensation payable to you if you wish to part ways with your employer.

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Disciplinaries and Grievances

If you face a disciplinary, you need to know your rights, including a right to a fair hearing and to respond to allegations. If your employer breaches your rights, the consequences are serious.

You also have a right to raise a grievance to resolve issues at work, which can be a stressful and complex process.

We can help with:

Advising you at all stages of disciplinary or grievance proceedings
Helping you raise sensitive issues such as bullying, whistleblowing and discrimination
Representing you in the Employment Tribunal Claims; and
Maximising the compensation you receive from your employer where they breach your rights.

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Post-termination Restrictions

Many employers impose post-termination restrictions, also referred to as restrictive covenants, upon their employees to restrict their activities after their employment ends.

If your employer is seeking your agreement to such restrictions, it is vital that you have a full understanding of how these clauses work.

We can help with:

Reviewing and advising you on the scope and enforceability of your post-termination restrictions;
Advising you on how to reject or negotiation proposed restrictions; and
Representing you in claims relating to post-termination restrictions.

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Settlement Agreements and Protected Conversations

Being offered a Settlement Agreement is very common, but it can still be very stressful and give you a difficult decision to make: sign the agreement and terminate your employment, negotiate the terms or refuse entirely and potentially face a disciplinary or redundancy situation.

We can advise you on your options to ensure you make the right decision. We protect your rights, help you maximise the compensation you receive and achieve the best possible outcome.

We can help with:

Advising you on the terms and effect of a proposed Settlement Agreement;
Maximising the value of the severance package being offered by asserting your rights
Advising you on your rights and alternative options, including to pursue an Employment Tribunal claim; and
Preparing you for protected conversations and acting on your behalf in any correspondence and negotiations with your employer.

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Whistleblower Protection

If you believe you employer is committing criminal offences or breaching health and safety obligations, what can you do? Most employees would worry about their job if they “blew the whistle” on their employer.

However, you are legally protected from being dismissed, or being subjected to a detriment, as a result of blowing the whistle.

We can help with:

Advising you on when whistleblowing protection applies and how to blow the whistle effectively to ensure you remain protected; and
Representing you in an Employment Tribunal to enforce your rights and maximise the compensation payable when your rights have been infringed.

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Strategic Exits for Executives and Senior Employees

As an executive or senior employee, a time may come when either you or the business you work for decides it is time to move on. If it does, it is vital that you protect your interests and reputation, as well as ensuring you receive appropriate compensation for loss of office.

We can help with:

Negotiating the terms of your exit and maximising your financial package;
Understanding, and negotiating, any ongoing obligations you may have;
Managing any announcements and communications about your exit;
Protecting any shares or options you may hold; and
Representing you in internal grievances or in Employment Tribunal or Court claim

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Our Team

Gareth Matthews

Partner - Employment

Deborah Scales

Partner - Employment Law

Amy Jefferson

Gareth Matthews

Partner - Employment

Gareth is a Partner in MLP Law’s Employment team and for over 10 years has specialised in employment law, primarily advising businesses and senior individuals. Gareth has significant litigation experience, including experience as an advocate in the Employment Tribunal. Gareth also has considerable experience in advising on the employment issues in corporate mergers and acquisition, including the complexities which arise in TUPE transfers.

Gareth’s sector experience is wide ranging, encompassing advice to clients in the hospitality, retail, construction, healthcare, recruitment and manufacturing industries.

Gareth provides training to clients and organisations on a variety of key employment topics, such as absence management, disciplinary and grievance processes and employment law updates. Gareth also acts as a guest lecturer in employment law at Liverpool Hope University.

Gareth has been described by Legal 500 as someone who is ‘very reassuring and does a great job’ and was named Legal Personality of the Year by Downtown in Business. Gareth has also been quoted as an employment law expert in the Manchester Evening News and The Times and is known for his pragmatic and commercial advice, as well as his ability to quickly understand his clients’ business objectives and tailor his advice accordingly.

Prior to joining MLP Law, Gareth spent a number of years working in the employment teams at two international law firms in Manchester.

Away from work Gareth is a passionate cricket and football fan and enjoys discovering new music. Gareth is also a keen traveller but has had to put his plans to become fluent in a foreign language on hold in favour of spending time with family, particularly his two young sons of whom he is incredibly proud.

Phone: 0161 926 1583

Deborah Scales

Partner - Employment Law

Deborah is an experienced Employment and Discrimination lawyer who has had a mixed practice representing both businesses and individuals. She believes this gives her the edge when negotiating with ‘the other side’. Areas of expertise include discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, restraints of trade, TUPE, collective redundancies, employment status and IR35 issues, managing employee conflict, grievance and disciplinary investigations, and negotiating severance packages (on both sides of the fence). With the explosion in remote working, Deborah has been advising businesses on the risks and opportunities of employing workers living in overseas jurisdictions.

Deborah was Called to the Bar in 2007 and cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2011. She has sat on advisory panels including the EHRC’s panel on Religion & Belief and the Federation of Small Businesses’ Employment Law Policy Committee. She is a member of Lincoln’s Inn Denning Society after being awarded a scholarship in 2005. She joins mlpplus as an Employment Law Partner.

Outside of work, she enjoys following her local pub bands and catching up with her three adult daughters – when they are all in the same country.

Phone: 0161 926 1520

Amy Jefferson

Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in Law, Amy started her legal career at a trade union law firm based in Sheffield in September 2022. She now looks forward to moving back to Manchester and re-exploring the city she grew up in.

Amy’s interest in legal practice began following a series of trips to the Manchester Crown Court public gallery with her Grandad. What started as a few day trips sparked a real interest in legal practice and a few years later she undertook work experience with a high street firm in Bramhall specialising in employment law.

This area was further explored during university by studying an elective module in employment law and completing a part time work placement in employment law alongside studies in her final year. After university, looking to explore her options she began working in personal injury. However, quickly missing the pace and diversity of employment law she returned back to the area and has found the work to be meaningful and rewarding.

In her spare time, Amy likes to read, attend live music events and go for walks in the Peak District. Although, she is always open to trying new activities and has recently taken up bouldering.

Why choose us

1. Unparalleled Expertise and Experience

We are vastly experienced, Legal-500 recommended
legal experts who live and breathe Employment Law.

From executive exits and tackling issues like unfair dismissal and discrimination to diving into the complexity of holiday pay – there is no Employment Law challenge we haven’t met head on

We provide empathetic and robust legal support to
employees, helping them to achieve their successful
outcomes.

2. Your case, your service

You are unique, as are the challenges you face.
That’s why our approach is always tailoured to you.

We don’t like one-size-fits-all strategies. We’re all
about crafting tailored strategies that fit
your specific needs.

Communication is key. We’re fluent in plain language
and have no time for legal jargon. We believe in complete
transparency and proactivity, providing you with a
clear path and fixed fees so you’re never caught off guard.

3. We keep your options open

The road to success isn’t a one-way street, and we’re
here to keep your options open. We’re masters of
alternative dispute resolution methods, such as
mediation and negotiation, which are the keys to
sidestepping the time, money, and stress of legal claims.

Testimonials

“Firstly may I thank you for your excellent help and advice given in resolving this situation to an outcome that was far better than I had expected or hoped it would be!! Thank you once again for your excellent help you have given me to resolve this settlement to such a good outcome which is greatly appreciated!!”

-PH

“Gareth was excellent and respectful of my situation. He went above and beyond when dealing with my requests”.

– JD

“mlp team was very reassuring in what was a very difficult time. They went above and beyond to support me through a difficult two weeks with my employer. They listened to my frustrations and supported me emotionally. Thank you for your support throughout his process.”

–SH

“Gareth was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and practical in the advice he gave me. The issue was resolved very quickly and to my full satisfaction. I am happy to recommend the firm for any employment concerns.”

-NH

“I approached Deborah following her being recommended to me. Overall thoroughly happy with the advice and support that Deborah gave. Deborah was highly professional and timely in all matters. Advice was excellent and realistic and this allowed me to bring matters to a very acceptable conclusion very quickly. I would highly recommend anyone needing employment law support to seek advice from Deborah.”

-DE

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