Castle Associates

Castle Associates: employment law advice for employees and employers across the UK

Castle Associates is an employment law advisory service that works with both employees and employers throughout the United Kingdom. Its offer combines advice, representation and practical HR support, with a free initial consultation and a model of paying for services as they are needed rather than through mandatory membership.

The firm presents itself as a specialist in workplace disputes and HR issues, with particular emphasis on disciplinary proceedings, grievances, redundancies and trade union representation.

Support for employees facing workplace processes

For employees, Castle Associates provides advice and representation during difficult situations at work. The service covers formal disciplinary action, grievance procedures and redundancy processes. The firm states that, under law, all employees have the right to access official trade union representation, and it offers access to expert trade union representation and support even to workers who are not members of a union, on a pay-as-you-need basis.

The representatives accompany and represent employees in formal meetings. The website organises this support around four areas:

• Disciplinary: advice when an employer starts formal action over concerns about work, conduct or absence.
• Grievance: support for raising a grievance with an employer.
• Redundancy: guidance on the steps an employer is expected to follow and on fair treatment during a redundancy process.
• Trade union: access to statutory trade union representation and support in line with the ACAS code of practice.

HR support and representation for employers

For employers, Castle Associates offers advice and expertise on resolving employment disputes, with the stated aim of achieving a speedy and commercially acceptable resolution while minimising the impact on the business. The firm says it draws on many years of experience in providing representation on employment issues.

The employer-side services listed on the site are:

• Absence management, including dealing properly with unacceptable absence to keep the working relationship healthy.
• Disciplinary matters, from allegations and investigations to suspension during a disciplinary, disciplinary hearings and appeals.
• Grievances, covering the duty to handle a grievance or concern in the correct way, including investigation, hearing and appeal.
• Harassment and bullying, addressing conduct that can increase absence and staff turnover and reduce productivity and morale.
• HR training, described as cost-effective and tailored, intended to meet legal obligations and improve overall efficiencies.
• Redundancies, including the redundancy process, selection pool and criteria, alternative roles and appeals.
• Performance management, for addressing long-term dips in performance.
• Discrimination, with reference to the 2010 Equality Act and employers' responsibilities under it.

HR document and policy templates

Castle Associates also provides an online library of HR templates aimed at small businesses. The library includes employment contracts, policies, procedures, letters, guides and checklists, intended to help businesses create their own HR policies and procedures, reduce risks and stay legally compliant. Access is through a sign-up.

Resources and expert commentary

The website includes an "Ask the Expert" section in which employment solicitors answer questions on topics such as holiday entitlements, constructive dismissal, sick pay, age discrimination, depression as a disability and unfair dismissal. It also publishes a blog, case studies, a solicitors directory, an employment law A to Z, FAQs, latest news and summaries of employment tribunal decisions, including judgments from the UK Supreme Court.

Stated mission and client feedback

The firm describes its mission as ensuring that all employees are treated fairly and supported in the workplace, while helping employers by taking the hassle out. It also states that it has over 250 excellent reviews. The site presents the service as free to start, through a free initial consultation with no obligation, and notes that calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.