Jackie Cuneen
Employment
Luton Office
Employment Business
Our employment law specialists are ready to provide you with the right HR advice for your business. With an in-depth understanding of employment-related issues from redundancy, restructuring, policies and procedures to dispute and discrimination, our highly specialised legal team can provide tailored solutions to SMEs and multi-national organisation across all sectors and industries.
Talk to one of our friendly and experienced team on 01582 514000
Employment is all about relationships. Not only with your staff, but your directors, shareholders and professional advisers.
We work closely with our employer clients to get to know and understand your business model and commercial framework, to ensure that our legal advice is bespoke, personal and cost-effective for you. We know legal advice is not a “one size fits all” matter. We spend time getting to know and understand our corporate clients’ businesses so we can provide tailored advice for both their contentious and non-contentious employment matters, but also to provide guidance and support to how to manage your business’ legal risk and mitigate against costly disputes.
Legal advice for the entirety of the employment life-cycle
We advise a portfolio of corporate clients, from small businesses to multi-nationals, and across sectors and industries. We have a strong reputation within Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, but we also advise clients in London and across the UK.
Our clients benefit from advice provided at a Partner or Senior Associate level from highly experienced lawyers and litigators from both local and City firms but without the associated costs.
We advise our employer clients on the entirety of the employment life-cycle. We commonly advise on:
- Performance management, disciplinaries and grievances
- Executive recruitment
- Whistleblowing
- Managing dismissals
- Enforcement of non-compete and confidentiality agreements
- Equal opportunities and discrimination
- Restructuring and redundancy programmes
- TUPE and outsourcing
- Mediation of employment disputes
- Tribunal claims and process
- Policies and Procedures
- Worker status issues
- Training and knowledge sharing
Don't take our word for itMy family has dealt with Machins for many years, Machins deliver first class, excellent legal advice from experts within a broad range of specialisms. They take time to get to know their clients and providing a tailored, personal service of the highest possible standard.Legal 500 2024The team at Machins is very responsive and cases move forward in a rapid way, with no unnecessary delay. They have a broad skillset and are good at drawing in specific knowledge/talent as it is needed. They deliver a high quality of expertise, and provide exceptionally good value. They are pragmatic and professional, and are not interested in name calling or needless unpleasantness, even if the other side are. That said, they are firm and decisive, and are good at highlighting the pros and cons of each next move, so the client is able to make a well informed decisionLegal 500 2023Machins are responsive to our needs, which are not frequent, but when they arise and need resolution at speed Machins provide solid, pragmatic advice at appropriate pace.Legal 500 2023In simple terms I think that the team simply bring a practical , friendly and yet highly skilled approach to their work. Always taking time to fully understand and respond appropriately whether a major case or much smaller advice. A truly great professional service.’Legal 500 2023The team has a strong, local employment litigation practice. The quality of the cases they handle is high, as is the quality of work they produce and the instructions I receive from them.Legal 500 2023Jackie Cuneen provides advice for employment relations cases. She has a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and is clear in relation to risk in order that the business can make commercial decisions advisedly. She is able to translate legal language into language easily understood by managers who need to be brought into the process.The team is always responsive, fully understand our business needs and ensure they explain options and risks fully but simply.The employment team at Machins Solicitors is an exceptional team and a credit to the practice. The service was efficient right from first contact, appointments were made in a timely way and the support staff understood the urgency.Legal 500 2022Very approachable and easy to contact team. Confident in answers given. Balanced view on matters between employee/employers. Concise information given and straight forward approach to challenging situations.Legal 500 2022I have worked on a couple of issues with Machins, most recently updating our employment contracts with David Rushmere, and I have found them to be all the things you would want your lawyers to be - knowledgeable, professional, friendly, approachable; they always find a way to communicate on your level, whatever that may be, so you never feel confused or belittled because you don't understand what they're saying. I would not hesitate to recommend them.Google 5* Review
My family has dealt with Machins for many years, Machins deliver first class, excellent legal advice from experts within a broad range of specialisms. They take time to get to know their clients and providing a tailored, personal service of the highest possible standard.
Legal 500 2024
The team at Machins is very responsive and cases move forward in a rapid way, with no unnecessary delay. They have a broad skillset and are good at drawing in specific knowledge/talent as it is needed. They deliver a high quality of expertise, and provide exceptionally good value. They are pragmatic and professional, and are not interested in name calling or needless unpleasantness, even if the other side are. That said, they are firm and decisive, and are good at highlighting the pros and cons of each next move, so the client is able to make a well informed decision
Legal 500 2023
Machins are responsive to our needs, which are not frequent, but when they arise and need resolution at speed Machins provide solid, pragmatic advice at appropriate pace.
Legal 500 2023
In simple terms I think that the team simply bring a practical , friendly and yet highly skilled approach to their work. Always taking time to fully understand and respond appropriately whether a major case or much smaller advice. A truly great professional service.’
Legal 500 2023
The team has a strong, local employment litigation practice. The quality of the cases they handle is high, as is the quality of work they produce and the instructions I receive from them.
Legal 500 2023
Jackie Cuneen provides advice for employment relations cases. She has a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and is clear in relation to risk in order that the business can make commercial decisions advisedly. She is able to translate legal language into language easily understood by managers who need to be brought into the process.
The team is always responsive, fully understand our business needs and ensure they explain options and risks fully but simply.
The employment team at Machins Solicitors is an exceptional team and a credit to the practice. The service was efficient right from first contact, appointments were made in a timely way and the support staff understood the urgency.
Legal 500 2022
Very approachable and easy to contact team. Confident in answers given. Balanced view on matters between employee/employers. Concise information given and straight forward approach to challenging situations.
Legal 500 2022
I have worked on a couple of issues with Machins, most recently updating our employment contracts with David Rushmere, and I have found them to be all the things you would want your lawyers to be - knowledgeable, professional, friendly, approachable; they always find a way to communicate on your level, whatever that may be, so you never feel confused or belittled because you don't understand what they're saying. I would not hesitate to recommend them.
Google 5* Review
Employment law services for businesses
Redundancy & Dismissal
Terminating an employee’s employment is never an easy decision to make, whether on an individual or collective basis and it is also not without risk. We can help you limit and manage any exposure to your business, giving clear and practical guidance on the process and procedure required to effect a “fair” dismissal.
Settlement Agreements
We aim to help you avoid disputes in the first place; however, if a dispute cannot be avoided we can help find the most cost-effective commercial solution for your business. We advise upon and prepare Settlement Agreements and we also provide effective representation in conciliating, mediating and/or defending or enforcing your claims in the Employment Tribunal and Civil Courts.
Change & Restructuring
As a business we recognise that you have to change to survive, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but change can be difficult given the complexities of employment law.
Contracts & Procedures
Having appropriate contracts of employment in place for your employees can go a long way in helping manage your business’ risk of claims further down the line.
Business As Usual (BAU)
Managing staff issues and employment matters can be a significant drain on management time, but can also be a legal minefield. We are on hand to provide practical day-to- day advice on managing your employees
Recruitment
Whether you are starting a new business, or going through a period of growth, our solicitors can advise you on structuring and streamlining your employment processes in accordance with best market practice.
Carers at Work
There are 5 million people in the UK who combine work with care responsibilities for family members and loved ones. Carers UK estimates that 1 in 7 of the UK’s working population has caring responsibilities.
Discrimination
Under the Equality Act, employees can bring claims on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership and pregnancy/maternity.
Board Level Disputes & Exits
Board level and senior management disputes present businesses with additional challenges and difficulties, particularly during times of change or business restructure. They can also be particularly problematic in businesses subject to regulatory regimes. Senior-level disputes and exits can disrupt the efficient management of your business and carry with them reputational risk if the matter is acrimonious.
Disputes & Tribunal Representation
If your business has received an employment tribunal claim from an ex-employee or current employee, we can assess your chances of success at the outset, and give you a commercial view on how best to proceed with the tribunal claim.
TUPE
If your business is undergoing a sale or other transfer of shares or assets, or if you are acquiring all or part of another business, or if you are outsourcing or insourcing, won or lost a contract the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) will often be a critical issue in the transaction.
Price and Service Information for Immigration
This page will give you up to date information in relation to our pricing structure and timescales for our Immigration services.
Price and Service Information for Employment Business
This page will give you up to date information in relation to our pricing structure and timescales for our business employment services.
Get in touch with us
Our experienced solicitors are on hand to give you advice and assistance.
Call our team on 01582 514000 or Contact Us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Related news & events
Government announces employment law changes to boost economy
The government has unveiled a series of employment law reforms aimed at boosting the economy and reducing costs for businesses. The measures include changes to the Working Time Regulations 1998, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), and non-compete clauses. The measures are set out in the policy paper ‘Smarter Regulation to Grow
Employment Business news
Government announces employment law changes to boost economy
The government has unveiled a series of employment law reforms aimed at boosting the economy and reducing costs for businesses. The measures include changes to the Working Time Regulations 1998, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), and non-compete clauses. The measures are set out in the policy paper ‘Smarter Regulation to Grow
TUI discriminated against employee during redundancy process
The law on redundancy can seem complex and demanding to an employer. When making staff redundant, employers need to ensure that they follow a fair process that recognizes an employee’s rights while also seeking to achieve the organization’s goals in making the redundancy in the first place (e.g. saving cost). Throughout the redundancy process, the employer
Worker accused of trying to ruin company wins dismissal case
An employee at Lean Education and Development (LED) training firm won £11,885.62 for her unfair dismissal claim after she was accused of making deliberate mistakes to financially ruin her employer. Tracie Shearwood worked for LED for several years and after numerous promotions she held the role of head of compliance. In April 2018, her managing
Indirect Sex Discrimination: The Employment Tribunal awarded £60k to a part-time Morrison’s worker who was ‘gas-lighted’ into full-time hours.
Donna Patterson worked as a buyer in the Morrisons’ supermarket online business in Bradford. Whilst on maternity leave, her role was changed to fulfil the responsibilities of a full-time job, and upon her return, she was pressured to work longer hours, beyond what was stipulated in her contract. Ms Patterson was told she could do
