Cheshire law firm report growth in employment enquiries from North-west charities

The employment team at Cheshire law firm, SAS Daniels LLP, has reported that employment law enquiries from local charities has increased 15% in the past 12 months.

The charities sector has been hard-hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with employment law specialists at SAS Daniels handling cases relating to the furlough scheme, management of sickness absence and flexible working, brought about by financial pressures and changing ways of working. Sadly, the team has also advised charities forced to close as a direct result of the pandemic.

Warren Moores (pictured), Associate in the employment law team at the firm’s Macclesfield office, said:

As a result of the pandemic and with funding under increasing pressure, many charities have been forced to make difficult decisions regarding their employees. Few charities have the luxury of an in-house HR function and therefore don’t have the experience to handle all the changes relating to employment that the pandemic has brought about. From the furlough scheme to remote working, there has been a huge amount to consider over the past 15 months. This has all occurred at a time when many charities have been needed more than ever.”

A growth in demand for its services throughout 2020 led Congleton based charity and sensory centre, Ruby’s Fund, to appoint SAS Daniels LLP to advise on contracts, restructuring and recruitment, addressing conduct issues and the employment implications of tender processes.

The firm also supports many local charities including Cheadle Hulme charity, Action for Sick Children who the firm has worked with for the last 3 years. The charity made the difficult decision to close this year partly due to pandemic related problems, with SAS Daniels supporting the charity with the employment implication surrounding this process.

SAS Daniels LLP provides a full range of legal services and has four offices located in Chester, Congleton, Macclesfield and Stockport. SAS Protect packages are available which offer fixed price employment law and HR support for organisations and can be tailored according to the needs of each organisation.