When you think of London, you probably picture cockney kings flinging whelks at nervous tourists, or the Queen (“Gor bless you, Ma’am”) cradling a bulldog as she brandishes her royal sceptre and attacks the French.
But London isn’t just a curious mish-mash of hackneyed stereotypes and cuisine you’d rather fling than eat – it’s where employment law gets tricky.
Indeed, for the residents of London, the world of work can be a lot more difficult to negotiate than in other parts of the UK.
With more than five million people in the capital, thousands of applicants are vying for the same job, the living wage is a luxury and even the daily commute costs a marked amount more than up north.
The average Londoner is spinning the roulette wheel more frequently when they have a dodgy boss or a pay dispute.
So if you’re a jellied eel-loving, Her Majesty-saluting, hard grafting Londoner, what should you do for a more effective workplace?
Call the professionals
Never forget – if you’re having problems with your boss, the dog and bone is your most effective ally. Get on the blower to employment lawyers London to find out your rights in your workplace.
Without proper consultation, it can be difficult to discover the breadth of your rights in your situation. A boss, reluctant to be found out that they’re in the wrong, might hold back crucial parts of employment law to avoid a claim or tribunal.
However, a quick call to the professionals can give you a wider knowledge of your situation and let you know what can be done.
Know your strengths
In one cliché that holds true, London moves a lot quicker than other towns – and you’ve got to keep up the pace.
Knowing you’re working in a stable job sector can give you extra peace of mind in your day. And in the ever-competitive city, avoiding businesses where the bottom might fall out is the ideal way to avoid a dispute.
Speak up – together
Back in the 70s, trade unions wielded a power unheard of today. While they were still derided by governments, they were also able to speak up for working people, establishing strike action and protests for fair and equal pay.
Then came Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who diluted the powers of the unions to almost complete impotence.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a leaf out of their book. If you feel you’re heading into a dispute with your boss, make sure you’ve got your co-workers behind you at every turn.
After all, having one employee complain is easy to dismiss – having a whole crew against you could spark a crisis.