How the Bira Legal advice team supports independent retail employers | Case Study

Running a business comes with all kinds of challenges – and when employment issues crop up, it’s important to act quickly, fairly, and within the law. That’s why the Bira Legal Advice Team are here to help.

Running a business comes with all kinds of challenges – and when employment issues crop up, it’s important to act quickly, fairly, and within the law. That’s why the Bira Legal Advice Team are here to help.

Whether you’re managing concerns raised by an employee or considering action yourself, our expert team is on hand to offer clear, pragmatic advice to help you make confident, compliant decisions.

Here’s how the Bira Legal Advice Team can help: A typical scenario

To give you an idea of the type of support we provide, here’s a brief example and explanation of how we typically assist:

Scenario:

Jane, an employee, submits a formal grievance in writing, claiming she’s been bullied and harassed by a colleague. She is upset and asks for the matter be investigated promptly.

Here’s how we support you, step-by-step:

• Understanding the issue: We help you acknowledge Jane’s grievance promptly and professionally, and advise on how to request any further information needed to clarify her concerns.
• Reviewing your policies: We review your grievance policy (and associated procedures) to ensure it’s up to date and in line with the ACAS Code of Practice. We also advise on the correct steps to follow.
• Advising on the investigation: We recommend appointing an impartial investigator and outline what a fair investigation should look like. We’ll advise on the scope, confidentiality (including when this can and cannot be maintained), and the importance of impartiality.
• Providing practical tools and guidance: We provide template letters, checklists, and step-by-step advice for each stage of the process – from the initial investigation to formal hearing and any appeal. We’re also happy to review your draft correspondence before it is issued.
• Supporting formal meetings: We guide you through holding a fair grievance meeting, covering key considerations such as the employee’s right to be accompanied, what questions to ask, and how to document the discussion accurately.
• Findings and outcomes: Once the investigation is complete, we can help you assess each part of the complaint objectively, weigh up the evidence, and make a reasoned decision. We may also suggest appropriate follow-up actions, such as mediation, additional training, or changes to working practices to help prevent similar issues arising in the future.
• Drafting the outcome letters: We review your draft outcome letter to ensure it clearly explains the findings, sets out your conclusions, and informs the employee of their right to appeal.
• Handling any appeal: If the employee appeals, we provide advice and support on arranging a further impartial review and how to address and respond to any particular points raised.

Stay informed

Employment issues can feel daunting, but by providing clear, step-by-step support throughout the grievance process, the Bira Legal Advice Team helps safeguard members against legal risk, ensures compliance with best practice, and supports a fair and balanced outcome for everyone involved.

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