HR Advice

Employment law and HR support/advice as part of your TICA or ACAD Membership Subscription.

Employment issues can be complex. The task facing business owners of ensuring that they are complying with ever changing Employment Law has become ever more demanding.

At TICA the Employment and HR Support is available (particularly useful to our smaller member companies) because we are committed to service excellence and to helping improve industry standards.

TICA has entered into agreement with Collingwood Legal, a specialist firm of employment law advisers, to provide free legal advice to TICA-ACAD members.

Members are able to contact a Collingwood Legal Advisor at any time by email.

Advice by phone or email, including the provision of basic draft documents, will then be arranged. There is no charge to members for the advice given for initial enquiries on separate issues. Any complex matters (such as advising on Employment Tribunal litigation cases, business restructuring programmes) or individual cases which require more than 30 minutes of an Adviser’s time can be dealt with by the Advisers at preferential reduced rates by agreement directly with Collingwood Legal.

How often can I use the service?

Access to the advice service is unlimited and is included as part of your TICA or ACAD subscription. Remember, there is no premium rate telephone line and no additional hourly charges for straightforward helpline enquiries. The service is subject to some limitations on members’ reasonable usage of the service and for long running and complex individual cases. The service does not cover the drafting of defences to employment tribunal claims or preparing for and providing representation for members at tribunal hearings. However, Collingwood Legal is willing to apply discounted rates and fixed fee quotes for any tribunal litigation support that members may require.

How do I know the advice I receive is accurate?

Our Employment and HR Support Advisers are highly experienced specialist employment lawyers who have specific knowledge and understanding of the Pink Book national agreement. Members can be sure that their advice is the product of many years’ experience as not only do they know the law, but they advise a wide range of businesses across a range of industry sectors , and public sector organisations.

Why might I need Employment and HR Support?

There will always be those occasions when a difficult Employment or HR issue arises (often at short notice) and some impartial advice can save not only time and worry, but potentially significant legal expenses and Employment Tribunal awards.

This service gives members immediate access to highly experienced, professional employment lawyers who can provide reliable telephone or email advice in a practical, easy to follow style using everyday language. Our Advisers have a familiarity with our industry and in particular with “Pink Book” terms and conditions.

Also, there may be occasions where members know the most appropriate course of action to take to deal with a workplace issue or problem, but would like a ‘sounding board’, preferably someone who is independent and can offer an impartial option. The Advice Line are not just there to provide answers but also to listen to and consider the decisions members have made and to help you assess the risks of taking a particular course of action.

How do I provide basic legal documents to my staff?

As a TICA member, you also have access to basic employment documents (including template draft contracts of employment and policies), thus ensuring you have the resource materials to help you be compliant with your legal obligations. Bespoke drafting services can be agreed separately with Collingwood Legal at preferential rates, if required.

To view these documents, please contact llambe@tica.uk.com

Primarily intended for smaller member companies, this initiative is a further example of our commitment to ever improving standards within our industry.

In turn this will complement the provisions of the National Agreement (Pink Book), which provides a consistent basis for employment within our industry.

Collingwood Legal is able to offer TICA Members the following:

1 Practical and sensible advice. Please email advice@tica.uk.com and quote your TICA membership number. Paul Johnstone or another member of the highly-experienced legal team, will be available for an initial consultation.

2 Impartial and practical advice on the strengths and weaknesses of the issues you face and recommendations of how best to proceed. Collingwood Legal will always attempt to provide you with options in recognition that the same strategy does not suit all companies.

3 Advice can be given on:

• The presentation, procedure and settlement of disciplinaries, grievances and managing sickness absence and poor performance.

• Assistance in formal and alternative dispute resolution processes.

• Issues relating to discrimination.

• Redundancy situations.