North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce
Working for your business
Our Chamberlink magazine is full of good things our members are doing during these challenging times – our front cover features Macclesfield-based Henbury Travel owner, Richard Slater, who was photographed in the engine of one of Thomas Cook’s grounded aircraft.
Take a look, it’s a good read!
Our Chamberlink magazine is full of good things our members are doing during these challenging and difficult times – our front cover features Macclesfield-based J Tape who have quickly reacted to the current crisis and diversified by designing and producing a disposable face shield to help protect key workers in an exposed situation.
Take a look, it’s a good read!
The employment law and HR team at Thorneycroft Solicitors are highly-skilled and they recently announced the appointment Employment Solicitor, Amir Khan.
Having graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University, Amir trained with Staffordshire and Lancashire based law firm Lexadeen Solicitors, qualifying in October 2017 before working as a qualified Solicitor in the Employment department of the firm’s Bolton office.
Amir provides advice on all aspects of Employment Law and has previously acted for both employers and individuals in a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. He has particular experience in advising on unfair dismissal, constructive unfair dismissal and discrimination claims. He also has experience in reviewing, drafting and advising on contracts, policies and settlement agreements. In every case he looks to work closely and transparently with clients to ensure the best and most cost-effective outcome is achieved.
In this article we sit down with Amir to discuss his current role as well as key employment law and HR challenges that businesses are currently facing in the wake of Covid-19.
What made you decide on a career in Employment Law?
Well it is a small field and not many Solicitors choose to specialize in Employment law, in fact if memory serves me well, 5% of lawyers choose to go into Employment as a specialized area. For me, I saw it as a diverse and evolving area of law and an opportunity to challenge myself and showcase my talent and work ethic, to display my critical thinking and tactical nous, and to wield my problem-solving skills.
What made you join Thorneycroft Solicitors’ Employment and HR team?
I saw opportunity as a way to contribute to an exciting and forward-thinking firm, be part of a vibrant and hard-working Employment and HR team that complements my skillset and personality. I believe strongly in working with other people towards a common goal and have no doubt that this move will prove to fruitful, where both the firm and I will flourish and continue breaking boundaries.
What is your favourite aspect of being an employment law and HR solicitor?
I have always enjoyed the academic side of employment law but what I really enjoy is the practical application of it in everyday life. I enjoy the daily interaction with senior business professionals in advising them on how best to approach a particular issue or project that relates to aspects of their business.
Which attributes do you have that you think will help you ensure your clients’ needs are met?
I think it is important to be able to analyse a certain situation/the facts of a case and interpret those facts against the relevant law. I also feel that remaining alert at all times, and responding quickly and accurately so that a client is able to make an informed decision is crucial. Both of which I possess. Finally, I am able to communicate clearly and provide practical advice (rather than an academic explanation or legal jargon) so that the best outcome is achieved.
What challenges are local business facing at the moment?
As we are all aware, the current situation as a result of Covid-19 is proving to be deeply unsettling. The livelihood of many businesses and their employees are at stake and with this being unprecedented, and with their being no clarity as to when we will be able to resume normality, it means that we are having to make some very difficult decisions in absence of clear guidance.
How can you and the team at Thorneycroft help support these businesses?
We can assist your business in making these difficult decisions in the face of uncertainty and ensure that little or no detriment is caused to your business. The business landscape is changing at an extremely fast pace and we have kept track, studied and advised on the continuing government releases on new regulations that affect businesses on a daily basis. As such, we are able to provide detailed and focused advice and assistance that is tailored to your specific business needs.
Contact the Thorneycroft Solicitors employment law & HR team
If you would like to discuss any issue outlined in this blog post or have an enquiry about another aspect of employment law or HR, please don’t hesitiate to contact our team. Call Thorneycroft Solicitors for free today on 0800 1979 345 or complete their online enquiry form by clicking here
In these unprecedented and uncertain times, North Cheshire Chamber’s priority is to support our members and the local business community, and to ensure the health and safety of our staff.
The Chamber office is closed and the business is being operated by staff working from home, but we are still “open for business”. However, in line with government rules on social distancing all face-to-face events have either been taken online or postponed.
All exporters requiring export documentation can be assured of a seamless service – the majority of documents are issued electronically, and we will continue to produce any documents that require printing by the Chamber and utilise Royal Mail for delivery.
Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber and remember we are here to help – and if we can’t, we have a wealth of knowledge amongst our members that we can call on.
HELP AND SUPPORT
For information on the Government’s COVID-19: support for business visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
For information on the Government’s COVID-19: guidance for employees visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees
For the current Government guidelines visit https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
To apply for your Small Business Rate Relief grant, visit: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/business/business_information/business-support-covid-19-coronavirus.aspx
For NHS official advice visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
ACAS have created a useful guide for employers, which includes information on sick pay and self-isolation, visit: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak presented his first Budget on Wednesday 11 March 2020. In his speech he stated ‘we are at the beginning of a new era in this country. We have the freedom and the resources to decide our own future’.
‘It is a Budget of a government that gets things done’.
Harts’ summary focuses on the tax measures which may affect you, your family and your business. To help you decipher what was said they have included their own comments. If you have any questions please contact Harts for advice.
Main Budget tax proposals
The summary concentrates on the tax measures which include:
Other measures include:
Previously announced measures include:
Chamber Patrons, Thorneycroft Solicitors have developed an excellent reputation for “giving back to the community” where they have offices, as well as to both local and national organisations including The Christie at Macclesfield, and they are delighted to announce that they have agreed to sponsor two local athletes. For the 2020 season, they will be the proud sponsors of Macclesfield-based duathlete Natalie Duncombe, as well as Bradley Wilson, a superbike racer from Derbyshire.
Natalie is a member of Team GB who, in the past two years, has competed in two European Championships. She now has her sights set on the 2020 season and is also preparing to take on her first half-iron distance triathlon.
Bradley is a budding young superbike racer who completed his first full season as a BSB rider in 2019, and in 2020 he looks forward to more opportunities both within the BSB paddock and without, with the ultimate aim of competing in the Isle of Man TT races.
Both announcements come hot on the heels of Thorneycroft Solicitors also announcing that they will be renewing their sponsorship of British Superbike racer and local motorcyclist, Christian Iddon, who will be riding for his new team, PBM Ducati, in 2020.
Christian said: “I am delighted to once again have the support of Thorneycroft Solicitors. A local company to myself who have the rights of bikers at their core. I have also been able to utilise a range of their other services and had a fantastic experience in doing so.”
The firm will also be renewing their sponsorship of Katie Toft, a World Champion in Paracycling from High Peak.
Katie has developed an excellent relationship with the team at Thorneycroft Solicitors and we are thoroughly excited to see what the 2020 season holds in store.
You can learn more about all of the athletes that Thorneycroft Solicitors support as well as their other news by clicking here.
