When Should You Get Help?
Employment relationships don't usually break down overnight. From an employee's point of view problems often start with unfair criticism, bullying, being kept out of the information loop, harsh performance management or reviews, or just a feeling that their manager doesn't like them. It is important to trust your intuition. If you feel that someone is out to get you or doesn't like you, then your feeling is probably accurate. Rarely do unhappy situations get better by themselves.
It is wrong for an employee to be treated unfairly but it happens all the time. In order to resolve an unpleasant situation, in the best way possible for you, assistance is required. Some people delay seeking employment law assistance as they worry about costs or they hope that the situation will go away. By delaying, you greatly increase the risk that the employment problem will cause you serious stress and you risk lessening your bargaining power.
Think about this issue from the employer's perspective. If they have an employee, that they want out, they will be more likely to pay willingly and quickly for that result if they are approached early on, as they can then secure the outcome they want without being sued. In exchange, the employee gets to leave with dignity, the highest possible cash outcome, and references, as things have not gone too far. If the employee delays seeking help until after they have been dismissed, the employer has far less incentive to settle promptly, and at an above average level, as they can sit back and wait for the employee to pursue the claim. We have been involved in many cases where we have secured a cash outcome of many tens of thousands of dollars, tax free, through an exit negotiation as the employer was keen to get rid of the employee without a fuss. The employee is also much more likely to face time out of the workforce if they are dismissed, rather than seeking an agreed exit.
If you have a claim you should not be put off pursuing it as it is still worthwhile, however, if you have the choice, sooner is better than later. Please contact us if we can help.
It is wrong for an employee to be treated unfairly but it happens all the time. In order to resolve an unpleasant situation, in the best way possible for you, assistance is required. Some people delay seeking employment law assistance as they worry about costs or they hope that the situation will go away. By delaying, you greatly increase the risk that the employment problem will cause you serious stress and you risk lessening your bargaining power.
Think about this issue from the employer's perspective. If they have an employee, that they want out, they will be more likely to pay willingly and quickly for that result if they are approached early on, as they can then secure the outcome they want without being sued. In exchange, the employee gets to leave with dignity, the highest possible cash outcome, and references, as things have not gone too far. If the employee delays seeking help until after they have been dismissed, the employer has far less incentive to settle promptly, and at an above average level, as they can sit back and wait for the employee to pursue the claim. We have been involved in many cases where we have secured a cash outcome of many tens of thousands of dollars, tax free, through an exit negotiation as the employer was keen to get rid of the employee without a fuss. The employee is also much more likely to face time out of the workforce if they are dismissed, rather than seeking an agreed exit.
If you have a claim you should not be put off pursuing it as it is still worthwhile, however, if you have the choice, sooner is better than later. Please contact us if we can help.