Never write anything in an e-mail or text message that you would not be happy to see published in a newspaper or read out in Court
(PRWEB UK) 22 July 2013
Understanding the emotions that are likely to be swirling during employment disputes is an important part of resolving them in the least damaging way possible, according to employment law expert Robert McCreath.
McCreath made the comments in a new article on business website Find the Edge, where he discusses four vital points to remember when it comes to handling employment disputes.
He suggests understanding the emotions the other party is likely to be feeling is equally important: "Your passion for the business may be infectious, but do not assume that everybody feels the same way about it as you do.
"Why should they? They may not have as large a stake in the business as you do. Their personal circumstances may mean that their priorities are different."
"Learn to read people’s body language – what they are saying verbally is not necessarily what they mean."
He also recommends avoiding trying to prove to the other person that they are wrong, and suggests that settling is usually the simplest and most cost effective way to resolve a dispute for both sides.
In addition, McCreath says taking extra care when communicating is absolutely essential.
He said: "Never write anything in an e-mail or text message that you would not be happy to see published in a newspaper or read out in Court – unless it is a legally privileged communication with your lawyers."
"Keep records of reasonable steps that you take to deal with employees in potential dispute situations. For example, if you have an informal meeting with an employee to try to help, or encourage them to improve their performance, jot down a note of it immediately afterwards."
The article can be read in full here: http://www.findtheedge.co.uk/your-people/human-resources/4-key-practical-points-about-employment-disputes.
Robert McCreath is a partner at specialist employment law firm Archon Solicitors. He is also a CEDR accredited mediator and more about him can be found here: http://www.findtheedge.co.uk/expert-panelist/robert-mccreath.
Kenny Goodman, founder of Find the Edge, said: "Employment disputes are an inevitable part of business, and can be incredibly messy."
"Robert gives fantastic advice about how to make them as painless as possible, and explains why taking a step back to deal with them practically, not emotionally, is so important."
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