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Employment Law
Performance issues at work
If your employer thinks you’re not doing your job properly, specialist legal advice can help. Our employment lawyers are in your corner and can guide you through the process.
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Workplace performance solicitors: Expert legal advice
If your employer questions your performance or capability at work, you may well feel stressed and anxious about the situation and your future.
It’s a good idea to ask for help from a legal expert to consider your options and how best to deal with the issues you face. You’ll have someone on your side who will help you to feel more confident about the process you’re facing and feel more in control.
Employers are entitled to raise legitimate performance issues and need to be effective and address matters with guidance and support. However, when faced with a performance improvement plan you may feel concerned that your employer has not taken into account your side of the story or you are being unfairly scutinised. It may be, for instance, that you have been set targets that you consider to be unachievable, or you are being blamed for the poor performance of team member that is beyond your control.
"Sound, practical advice given in clear terms and tailored to the client's needs. Approachable and easy to work with." Legal 500 2026
Our performance at work legal services
Our specialist employment lawyers can help you by:
- checking whether your employer has followed their own procedure, and the ACAS Code and Principles of best practice
- advising whether your employer may be discriminating against you, or treating you unfairly
- giving you practical advice about whether or not the employer is justified and able to take the action that they are
- helping you to prepare for any hearings and how best to respond to allegations against you, including by obtaining copies of relevant paperwork e.g. your job description, appraisal reports, positive feedback from colleagues, clients etc
- negotiating to reach an amicable solution. Sometimes, things are just not working out at work and we can look at how you might resolve things whether to continue in your job with adjustments or, if your employer has offered a settlement agreement, helping you decide how to proceed and negotiate a better deal for you where possible
- advising on whether you have a potential case to issue an employment tribunal claim against your employer, if it’s not possible to resolve the situation another way.
With our specialist advice and support, you’re in the best possible position to take practical steps to achieve your objectives.
Get in touch today, we’re here to help
Our employment solicitors understand that concerns about your performance at work can be stressful and difficult to navigate. We provide clear, practical advice to help you understand your rights, your employer’s expectations and the options available to you.
Whether you are facing a performance review, capability process or concerns about your performance, we can help you understand what to expect, prepare for meetings and respond appropriately.
We have offices across Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, but we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
Legal and financial advice under one roof
Tees is a top-tier Legal 500 firm offering joined-up legal and financial services. We have our own independent financial advisers (IFAs), who work closely with our lawyers.
Our advisers provide holistic financial planning and as we are not connected to any one provider, we can offer a whole-of-market approach for the range of products we can advise on. We can also give independent advice for a whole range of insurance products to protect you and your family. Our IFAs are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we’re accountable for the advice we give.
Our experience in performance issues at work
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Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.
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What our clients say
★★★★★
“I had a separation agreement from my employer for which I needed prompt legal assistance, as I had a deadline of ~48 hours. After I contacted Tees, Ola called me almost immediately. She worked quickly and she was thorough and courteous with her advice towards me and her communication with my employer.”
★★★★★
“Katherine Jameson has a great strategic mind and is always thinking three steps ahead. She is always across her brief and has considered every aspect of every case she is working on. A safe pair of hands.”
Legal 500 2026
Featured insights
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With a busy work schedule, it might seem better, quicker, easier, to skirt around a performance issue with an employee.
Probation periods and performance management: what employers should do before January 2027
A well-written probation clause will not manage performance for you. With ordinary unfair dismissal rights scheduled to arise after six
Frequently asked questions
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