Are you having problems with your employer?
Most people spend a significant amount of their working lives at work. So when your relationship starts to deteriorate with your employer not only does it affect your work but the rest of your life. It is likely to cause unnecessary stress and anxiety whilst the problem is sorted out. That problem can be made worse if you don't know what legal rights you have or how to sort out your grievance.Let me take away some of the stress and anxiety
Employment law can be a minefield, both for the employer and the employee. Not all employers follow due process and adopt an attitude of good faith when dealing with issues in the workplace. However, knowing when the employer is acting outside the law can be difficult to spot: that's when you need advice on your rights.I can provide that advice for you and in doing so take away some of the stress and anxiety which you are enduring.
Where some employees go wrong
The biggest mistake a lot of employees make when dealing with employment problems is not getting clear advice at the outset. This often results in employees attending disciplinary meetings without a support person and missing a valuable opportunity to present their case. Worse still, the employee can be ambushed by the employer and end up agreeing to things which the employee shouldn't agree to. Don't let this happen to you - it could cost you more than you think.How much do you cost?
Many people have asked me whether I will work on a contingency fee basis - that means I only get paid if I win the case for you. I do not work on a contingency basis for a number of reasons:- some cases cannot be run on a contingency basis because the desired outcome is non monetary - it may be keeping your job.
- whilst I am very good at predicting how a case will be decided in the Employment Relations Authority or Court, when it comes to running your case there will more often than not be factors other than the relative strength of each parties' case which will cause the parties to compromise their positions on very different terms than can be predicted. I don't want to limit your ability to compromise your claim on terms which overall are in your best interests.
However, it is in no-one's interest if you end up with a legal bill which you weren't expecting. That's why I charge on a fixed fee basis so you know how much it is going to cost at the outset to present your case - no nasty surprises guaranteed.
To check my current fee schedule click here.
Quality advice at a reasonable cost
My fees are set to reflect market rates. If you shop around you you may find cheaper or a contingency lawyer may work out better from a cost perspective. However, I can guarantee that you will receive sound advice from the outset which is why I have never lost a case in the Employment Relations Authority.It's more about the outcome than the bill
This is what one client said about my service:When you think of lawyers you think of clock watching professionals whose only concern is to charge for every single second you talk to them. However, Michael is not like that. He will sit down and have a conversation with you pretty much when you want to talk about it. It soon became clear to me that money wasn't his only concern but that uppermost in his mind was the outcome for me. When we spoke he focused on me and the issues in hand and made me feel extremely comfortable no matter how uncomfortable or frustrating the situation. His pleasant demeanour was always evident. So yes, I would definitely recommend Michael to anyone else who has a problem with their employer. Jennie Tiers, Auckland.
You will be pleasantly surprised by my "approachability"
Employment issues can become very personal which is why you need someone who is understanding of your situation and who you can relate to. That's what another client discovered about me:I had never had to use an employment lawyer before so it was a bit of a venture into the unknown for me. I found the service I got from Michael was tremendous especially the way he kept me constantly updated with developments. What particularly impressed me was his approachability and clear assessment of the situation which I faced. I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone else in a similar predicament. JS, Auckland.
If you need help with an employment problem then simply give me a call (09 358 2725) or drop me an email.
Regards,
Michael Smyth LLb. (Hons.), Dip, Cert
The Approachable Lawyer
Is your employer causing you stress and anxiety?
From the first conversation I had with you, I felt
enormous relief as if you had just taken my awful problem from me. You
handled the entire matter on my behalf, liaising with me all the way and
negotiating the best possible outcome for me. I found you to be professional,
efficient, and formidable in your approach to the problem.
Engaging you was of real value, I'm so pleased I did!
Mellany Boulle, Auckland.
I thought I knew a fair bit about employment procedures so at first thought I could handle my own dispute with my employer. But, I decided to give Michael a call anyway and seek his views. It was only then that I realised how little I knew and how much value he could add to the process. I particularly appreciated the fast and prompt service. Your knowledge of employment procedures, calm demeanour and easy going nature greatly assisted me in resolving my dispute. I would have no hesitation in recommending your services to others and in fact have already done so to two others. Richard Carr, Auckland
When you think of lawyers you think of clock watching professionals whose only concern is to charge for every single second you talk to them. However, Michael is not like that. He will sit down and have a conversation with you pretty much when you want to talk about it. It soon became clear to me that money wasn't his only concern but that uppermost in his mind was the outcome for me. When we spoke he focused on me and the issues in hand and made me feel extremely comfortable no matter how uncomfortable or frustrating the situation. His pleasant demeanour was always evident. So yes, I would definitely recommend Michael to anyone else who has a problem with their employer. Jennie Tiers, Auckland.
I had never had to use an employment lawyer before so it was a bit of a venture into the unknown for me. I found the service I got from Michael was tremendous especially the way he kept me constantly updated with developments. What particularly impressed me was his approachability and clear assessment of the situation which I faced. I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone else in a similar predicament. JS, Auckland.
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Contact
Michael Smyth
PO
Box 91053 AMSC
Auckland 1030
New Zealand
P:
+64 9 358 2725
F: +64 9 358 2715
M: +64 21 320 171
E:
michael@approachablelawyer.com
In
the UK:
P: +44 709 204 5664
F: +44 709 204 5664