Many sectors are highly unionised and face complex collective bargaining processes and potentially damaging collective disputes. In addition, proposed changes under the Employment Rights Bill will significantly increase the rights of trade unions and the potential for statutory recognition. For organisations who already recognise a trade union, maintaining a successful working relationship with that union is important to the smooth operation of the business. Even for workplaces without a trade union presence, engaging with staff is key, not least because of collective consultation requirements where significant organisational design is being considered.

Our team of specialists are well-versed in dealing with employee relations issues and we can guide you through pay negotiations, collective consultation processes and recognition agreements, whether on a voluntary or statutory basis, to make these as painless as possible. We also provide training for employee representatives to enable them to support organisational design programmes. Balancing employee relations with the commercial interests of the business can be tricky, but our experienced team can help you identify when to push back on union demands to drive business needs as well as giving you the tools to manage or challenge any threatened industrial action.