After raising concerns at work, my client was offered a Settlement Agreement to leave her employment and waive her employment rights and claims. I was delighted to assist my client by identifying the Employment Tribunal claims (including discrimination under the Equality Act 2010) she would be waiving if she signed the Settlement Agreement and advising on her options. Please see below.
What Is A Settlement Agreement?
A Settlement Agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee which, usually, sets out terms for the employee to give up their job, their employment rights and any Employment Tribunal claims they may have (such as discrimination, Unfair Dismissal, unlawful deduction of wages) in exchange for a compensatory payment from their employer.
Importantly, a Settlement Agreement is completely voluntary. It is also a condition of Settlement Agreements that an employee takes independent legal advice on its terms. For more information about this, please see our website here – https://lincslaw.co.uk/services/settlement-agreement/
How Did I Assist My Client?
Here at Lincs Law Employment Solicitors, we are a specialist boutique employment law practice. We therefore have extensive experience advising clients in relation to Settlement Agreements and Employment Tribunal claims, including discrimination pursuant to the Equality Act 2010.
We offer a Fixed Fee service advising in respect of Settlement Agreements. Please see here for more information – https://lincslaw.co.uk/fees/settlement-agreements/
I was delighted when my client decided to book an appointment with me to discuss her situation. Before our appointment, I spent time reviewing the terms of her Settlement Agreement in detail. During our appointment, we then spend time discussing the following together:
- The circumstances of her situation;
- Any potential Employment Tribunal claims she would be settling if she chose to sign the Settlement Agreement;
- The overall “benefit” of her Settlement Agreement – i.e., what benefits she would be receiving over and above what she was already entitled to and/or she could obtain by way of compensation via an Employment Tribunal claim;
- Each of the individual terms of the Settlement Agreement, in detail;
- The various options available moving forward.
Our meeting, as above, was scheduled for up to 90 minutes. This provided my client with the opportunity to fully understand her options. Based on my client’s instructions, I was able to identify she had, unfortunately, been discriminated against by her employer on the grounds of her disability and sexual orientation. We spent time discussing her options and how she would be waiving such claims against her employer if she chose to sign the Settlement Agreement.
Following our meeting, I also confirmed my advice in writing to ensure she had a full record of our discussions.
I was then delighted when my client decided to instruct me further to negotiate the terms of her Settlement Agreement directly with her employer. After some negotiations, I was very pleased to secure a Settlement Agreement my client was willing to sign. I was then on hand to assist with signing the relevant documentation and returning it to her employer.
My Client’s Review
I was so pleased to assist my client with her Settlement Agreement. I was also very grateful to receive a 5-star review and the following positive feedback:
“All I can say is wow. Kate is the best lawyer I’ve ever dealt with. From her time management to her friendly working attitude, Kate was a star throughout the whole process. No question was too much and a reply was always swift. Thank you so much for all your work and for being so attentive and encouraging throughout my situation.”
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors Can Help You
If your employer has presented you with a Settlement Agreement, we would be delighted to help. Please contact us for a no obligation, free consultation. Simply use the contact form, engage in a web chat, email contactus@lincslaw.com or call us on 01522 440512 and we’ll be happy to help.
For more information about our fixed fee Settlement Agreement service, please see here – https://lincslaw.co.uk/fees/settlement-agreements/
Kate Key
Specialist Employment Solicitor
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors
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