Employment lawyers are offering free advice to workers in Greater Manchester
They're advising on matters from furlough to redundancy, salary cuts and your employee rights.
Lawyers across Greater Manchester are offering free legal advice for workers who've been hit hardest by the COVID19 pandemic.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of payroll employees has fallen by nearly 782,000 across the UK since March and tens of thousands of others have been placed on 'furlough'.
The Growth Company has partnered with Citizens Advice Manchester and a network of experienced legal firms to ensure that Greater Manchester’s workers who have been impacted the most by the pandemic can access free legal advice.
Employment Legal Advice is a new service to help individuals across Greater Manchester to access free employment-related legal support. The service is designed to help individuals access the right advice at the right time as quickly as possible.
The service is completely free, with legal experts giving something back and donating their time on a Pro Bono basis. The following law firms are taking part:
· Aaron and Partners
· Davis Blank Furniss
· Glaisyers
· Hattons Solicitors
· JMR Solicitors
· Linder Myers
· Monarch
· Peach Law
· Stephensons
· Wrigley Claydon
Enquiries to the service will be passed on to a dedicated triage advisor who will review the case and decide on the correct pathway for the user, including whether to refer them to an expert from the network of legal partners.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “One thing that the pandemic has taught us is that Greater Manchester is stronger when we all pull together. It’s absolutely vital that workers across our city region are aware of their employment rights in these uncertain times, so I fully endorse this free service and would encourage people to use it.”
The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a mission to enable growth, create jobs and improve lives.
Mark Hughes MBE, Chief Executive of the Growth Company, said: “At a time of increased redundancy and unstable employment having a service like Employment Legal Advice available for the people of Greater Manchester is more important than ever.
“By working closely with Citizens Advice Manchester and legal firms we are able to offer free legal advice to those in need. This sits alongside EmployGM which is a gateway service to help individuals with support, training and advice on securing new employment.”
Andy Brown, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Manchester, added: “We’ve had a huge increase of enquiries during Covid-19 from people who need to know where they stand on employment law, whether that’s with issues relating to furlough, redundancy or cuts to their salary. Understandably, these queries lead to additional stress and worry about keeping up with crucial bills, feeding families and the security of homes, so we are delighted to be working with the Growth Company and legal partners to deliver this vital service and help to put the minds of Manchester residents at rest.”
People who think they might benefit from the help of the Employment Legal Advice service can provide details of their issue on the service’s website HERE .
They can also email info@employmentlegaladvice.org or call 0808 164 5541.