Employment Audit 

Prevention is always better than cure, and one of the most crucial things for any business is to have compliant, up to date employment contracts and workplace policies that everybody understands. While you can’t always prevent employment related disputes and claims, understanding your legal obligations is the best way to ensure that you are meeting them.

We can conduct a comprehensive review of your employment documents and systems, identify any gaps and risks, and provide you with a program to address these.

Engaging People 

Speak to us before you engage a new person – we can ensure that you comply with any applicable Award and industry particularities. We will ensure you have clear and current policies and employment contracts to give your staff certainty about their employment arrangements and workplace conditions.  We can also provide advice for directors and officers on employment legislation and matters of corporate governance.

Retail and Commercial Leases

Before you enter into a lease, make sure you understand exactly what your rights and obligations are, and what the fine print means.

We can help you understand and negotiate terms that work for you, manage lease transfers and assignments, and assist when things go wrong (or hopefully before hand!).

Contracts and Commercial 

The best way to avoid disputes is to ensure that you and your customers, clients and suppliers all understand exactly how your business works – clear, plain English contracts are key. We work with our clients to draft contracts, terms of trade, service agreements and other documents that they understand and that work for them.

Before you sign a contract or agreement, let us review it for you to ensure that it’s lawful, fair, and that you understand all of the implications, both now and into the future.

Termination and Redundancy

When it comes to terminating employment, it’s critical to understand your options and obligations before taking any action. The situation and procedure can be different for each person, depending on their contract, Award, and reason for termination. Whether for performance, behaviour related issues, or as a result of redundancy, we can assist you to manage your obligations in a respectful, commercial and sensitive manner.

Consulting and Support

Sometimes you don’t want a lawyer involved, and what you really need is guidance.  We can guide you through HR Processes including performance management and disciplinary processes, grievances, requests for flexible work arrangements, workplace investigations and discrimination complaints.  We can coach you through the process and provide assistance in drafting correspondence, and preparing you for challenging conversations.

Disputes and Representation

Litigation is not always the best option.  We can provide advice as to the best way to handle commercial and employment disputes, manage potential conflict in the workplace, and if necessary represent you to achieve an efficient resolution where possible.

We act  in a variety of commercial and employment law claims including unfair dismissal, adverse action, bullying, sexual harassment, breach of contract and misleading and deceptive conduct. Sinclair + May can represent you at conciliation or mediation, and manage court proceedings.

When you just need help!

Sometimes you’re not sure what exactly what kind of help you need, or if you really need a lawyer at all. We understand! Book a free 15 minute consult and let us work through it with you, and identify the issues, options, answer your questions and and formulate a plan.