Employment & HR for Charities

Staff and volunteers are at the heart of every charity, however employment law can be difficult to navigate with constant change through legislation, the courts’ interpretation, Government policy and Charity Commission guidance. Our employment solicitors are able to assist trustees and senior leaders in taking a pro-active approach in managing their employees and the working environment.

As a leading provider of legal advice to the Charity sector, we act for a broad and diverse range of clients. Our team has extensive experience providing employment advice in all aspects of employment law as it relates to charities and the wider not-for-profit sector. We know that a charity’s employees will often feel a great loyalty towards, and ownership of, the charity or charitable trust for which they work which can lead to greater scope for acrimonious disputes. We also understand how the constraints of charity law can affect charities who want to reward loyal employees.

We understand how important the relationship between the trustees and the senior executive teams is and can assist in keeping this relationship stable and productive, and also assist if such a relationship deteriorates.

We have experience in supporting charities in moments of crisis, particularly arising from grievance or whistleblowing complaints. The HR Consultancy team are able to investigate allegations and support disciplinary procedures, whilst our employment solicitors are able to advise on strategic approach, engagement with the Charity Commission, and risk management. 

Our employment law solicitors have in depth expertise in all matters affecting charities. A few examples of the advice often provided to charities include (but is not limited to):

• charity mergers and corporate restructures;

• redundancies and reorganisation;

• safeguarding and child protection;

• conduct and capability processes;

• grievances and whistleblowing complaints;

• complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination

• managing senior staff;

• brand management;

• use of volunteers and employment status;

• Charity Commission reporting;

• Trustee obligations in making severance payments;

• Representation at employment tribunals.

We also offer HR consultancy services. Our team of HR Consultants works closely with the Charity Employment team to provide continuity of advice in relation to a wide range of employment issues. We offer a range of charity employment retainers to enable you to take advice quickly and easily, at a fixed cost. We are also able to provide Workplace Mediation.